New York Mets at Colorado Rockies: series preview

New York Mets (48-55) vs. Colorado Rockies (60-46)

Steven Matz (2-4, 5.51 ERA ) vs. Jeff Hoffman (6-3, 5.58 ERA)

For the Mets, their probable starter is Steven Matz. The 26 year-old left-handed starter has struggled. He didn’t make his season debut until June 10 due to “left elbow irritation.”

He was good in his first five starts as he went seven innings in four of the starts with an ERA of 2.12 with a 2-1 record. However in his four starts since (which is since July 9), he has had an ERA of 14.18 and only 13 1/3 innings pitched. Hitters have a .479 batting average and a .493 on-base percentage in that time as well (you might think the numbers are typos: they aren’t).

One of the terrible starts was against the Rockies on July 16 when he couldn’t retire a batter in the second inning. By then he had already allowed nine hits and seven runs (all earned). The Rockies ended up winning by a score of 13-4.

Matz was facing Rockies starter Jeff Hoffman and he will do the same tonight. In that start in New York, Hoffman went six innings allowing seven hits and four runs.

In his two starts since, he has only pitched in seven innings while allowing 16 hits, 14 runs (13 earned, for an ERA of 16.71). In that span, batters have hit .471 with a .558 on-base percentage against him.

Keys to the Game for the Rockies

For the Rockies to get a win, they must get to Matz like they did two weeks ago. Don’t let him get settled into a rhythm. Scoring in the first and second inning is critical. On the pitching side, Hoffman must pitch like he did in that outing.

The game will be starting at 6:40 PM MST (8:40 PM EST).