New York Mets at Colorado Rockies: series preview

Chris Flexen (0-1, 9.00 ERA) vs. Tyler Chatwood (6-11, 4.78 ERA)

The Mets probable starter is Chris Flexen. You probably haven’t heard of him for good reason: this will only be his second career start. He faced the San Diego Padres and he only went three innings and he allowed five hits, four runs (three earned), and walked four.

It’s not surprising to see him struggle as he started out the season in the Florida State League (Advanced-A ball) with the St. Lucie Mets. He was elevated to Double-A Binghamton for seven starts and then elevated to the majors (he did not go to Triple-A).

Combined in the minors this season, he pitched very well as he had a 6-1 record with a 1.76 ERA in 10 starts but obviously, pitching in Single- and Double-A is much different than facing major league talent (even if it is the Padres).

Tyler Chatwood is the scheduled probable starter for the Rockies. This will be his first start back in the rotation after he suffered a right calf strain in New York that landed him on the disabled list. He wasn’t able to make it out of the first inning as he went 1/3 of an inning while allowing a hit, four runs, and three walks.

He made one bullpen appearance against the Cardinals on July 26 and he didn’t look particularly sharp as he went an inning while allowing a hit, a run (that was earned), and two walks as well as 25 pitches to complete the inning.

The game, just like tonight’s game, has a scheduled start of 6:40 PM MST.

Keys to the Game

Like Matz, the Rockies have to get to Flexen early. If the Padres can knock him out in three innings (and they are last in the NL in runs, doubles, hits, batting average, and on-base percentage), the Rockies should be able to do it easily.

Chatwood needs to find his groove again. In the seven starts before his injury in June and July, he had an ERA of 3.46 with and an opponent’s batting average of .247.