After Tuesday's opener got snowed out in Denver, this thing finally gets going Wednesday night at Coors. The Mets are 13-22 and somehow still the heavy favorites, which tells you everything about the team standing in the other dugout. Colorado is 14-22 and has lost 5 in a row, with six losses in their last seven.
Freddy Peralta gets the ball for New York and he's actually been fine — a 3.52 ERA with a 1-3 record that's mostly a run-support indictment. His last time out, also against the Rockies, he went 5.2 and struck out 8 while taking the loss. The Mets owe him one.
On the other side, Michael Lorenzen and his 6.09 ERA. Lorenzen has been hammered at Coors specifically this year, which is the worst possible split to be carrying into a start at Coors. If the Mets bats can't get to him, that says more about the Mets than it does about Lorenzen.
The injury sheet is the real story for the Mets. Francisco Lindor in a boot for at least three more weeks. Kodai Senga on the IL with lumbar inflammation. Jorge Polanco and Luis Robert Jr. both down. Ronny Mauricio just fractured his thumb against the Angels. They're running out a lineup duct-taped together and they're still favored by 161 cents on the moneyline at altitude. That's how bad it's gotten in Denver.
- Day-To-DayJose Rojas 3B — The Mets signed Rojas to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training Monday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
- Day-To-DayNick Burdi RP — The Mets reassigned Burdi to minor-league camp Tuesday.
- Day-To-DayJoe Jacques RP — The Mets signed Jacques to a minor-league contract Wednesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
- Day-To-DayKevin Herget RP — Herget signed a minor league contract that includes an invitation to spring training with the Mets on Thursday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
- Day-To-DayNate Lavender RP — Lavender (elbow) cleared outright waivers Wednesday and was returned to the Mets.
- 10-Day-ILRonny Mauricio SS — Mauricio suffered a fractured left thumb in Saturday's loss to the Angels and will be placed on the 10-day injured list, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
- 10-Day-ILJorge Polanco 1B — Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said last Friday that Polanco (wrist/Achilles) has resumed performing baseball activities but is considered week-to-week in his recovery from a pair of injuries, SNY.tv reports.
- 10-Day-ILLuis Robert Jr. CF — The Mets are expected to place Robert (back) on the 10-day injured list, Chelsea Janes of SNY.tv reports.
- Day-To-DayCase Williams SP — Williams is currently slowed by a stress reaction in his right triceps, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.
- Day-To-DayBrayan Castillo RP — The Rockies announced Monday that Castillo is dealing with right lat tightness and has been shut down from throwing while undergoing treatment for the injury, TheDNVR.com reports.
- Day-To-DayJared Thomas CF — The Rockies announced Monday that Thomas hasn't been participating in spring training while he recovers from offseason surgery to address a fractured hamate bone in his right wrist, TheDNVR.com reports.
- 15-Day-ILRyan Feltner SP — Feltner (elbow) is slated to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.
- 60-Day-ILJeff Criswell RP — Criswell (elbow) made the second appearance of his rehab assignment with High-A Spokane on Sunday, striking out two over a perfect inning.
- 60-Day-ILMcCade Brown SP — The Rockies placed Brown (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
- 60-Day-ILRJ Petit RP — The Rockies transferred Petit (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Thursday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.
- 60-Day-ILPierson Ohl RP — The Rockies placed Ohl (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Wednesday.
Coors plus a 9.5 total feels low on paper, but Peralta's stuff plays anywhere and Lorenzen is the one who has to navigate the thin air. The Mets should win this. Whether they actually do is a different question for a 13-22 club, but the matchup, the momentum, and the opposing starter all point one direction.