Rockies Look to Revive Stagnant Offense Against Matz and the Mets
The Rockies and Mets find themselves in very similar positions heading into their game on Saturday, May 5th at Citi Field. Both teams have been slipping in the standings lately and are looking to get back on track after recently losing three straight.
The problem plaguing Colorado is offense. Or, more accurately, a complete lack of it. The Rockies hit just .224 in April to cap off their worst offensive month in franchise history. Part of the issue was injuries as three-time All-Star Carlos Gonzalez spent time on the DL with a strained right hamstring. Perennial MVP candidate Nolan Arenado also missed five games while serving a suspension for fighting. Both players are back now and should provide some much needed pop.
The Rockies hit just .224 in April to cap off their worst offensive month in franchise history.
The Mets have been experiencing an offensive drought of their own. New York ranks 19th in the Majors in runs per game and were shutout during their last two games against the Braves. The Mets have been especially susceptible to left-handed pitching due to the absence of Wilmer Flores, who’s dealing with a staph infection.
Below, find the opening odds, key statistics and betting trends, weather forecast, and score prediction for tonight’s game. And don’t forget to check out our MLB Betting Hub to see the opening odds.
Team Stats
| 17-15 (12-8 Away) | RECORD | 17-12 (7-7 Home) |
| -14 | RUN DIFFERENTIAL | -5 |
| RHP Chad Bettis: 3-1, 2.43 ERA, 1.05 WHIP | PROBABLE STARTER | LHP Steven Matz: 1-2, 4.98 ERA, 1.29 WHIP |
| .460 BA, .481 OPS (in 50 at-bats) | LINEUP VS OPPONENT STARTER | .226 BA, .314 OPS (in 31 at-bats) |
| 4.71 ERA (24th in MLB) | BULLPEN ERA | 4.08 ERA (16th in MLB) |
| .695 (23rd in MLB) | TEAM OPS | .688 (26th in MLB) |
| 3-3 (1-2 Away) | 2017 HEAD-TO-HEAD | 3-3 (2-1 Home) |
*All stats are from May 4th, 2018
Chad Bettis may not have been Colorado’s Opening Day pitcher, but he’s emerged as the team’s undisputed ace. The 29-year-old is 3-1 with a 2.43 ERA and has leapfrogged over fellow hurlers Jon Gray and Tyler Anderson with one stellar outing after another. Bettis looked especially sharp against the Pirates on April 17th, giving up just five hits in 7.1 innings.
Bettis doesn’t have overpowering stuff, but he does an excellent job of disrupting batters’ timing by constantly changing the speed and placement of his pitches.
Taking the mound for the Mets is Steven Matz. The former wunderkind has fallen on hard times lately after going 4-0 with a 2.27 ERA in his first year in the Bigs. Matz gave up seven runs in 3.1 innings in his last start against the Cardinals, and could soon join Matt Harvey in the bullpen if he continues to hemorrage runs.
Betting Results & Trends
| ROCKIES | TREND | METS |
|---|---|---|
| Won 2 | WIN/LOSS STREAK | Lost 3 |
| 5-5 | LAST 10 | 3-7 |
| 17-15 | RUNLINE RECORD | 15-14 |
| 13-17-2 | OVER/UNDER SPLIT | 15-13-1 |
| Over 1 | OVER/UNDER STREAK | Over 1 |
*All stats are from May 4th, 2018
Weather Forecast at Opening Pitch
| TEMPERATURE | 74° |
| HUMIDITY | 57% |
| WIND SPEED | SSW 16 mph |
| P.O.P. | 15% |
Score Prediction
| ROCKIES | 5 |
| METS | 3 |
The Rockies and Mets have both been maddeningly inconsistent this season, but we’re giving a slight edge to Colorado thanks to their ability to thrive outside of Coors Field. The Rockies lead the Majors in most wins on the road this season and are coming off a pair of impressive victories in Chicago in which they held the Cubs to three runs over two games.
The Rockies will be getting their dream match-up with Matz on the hill. Colorado’s lineup is hitting .460 with a .481 OPS against the beleaguered hurler.
The Rockies will also be getting their dream match-up with Matz on the hill. Colorado’s lineup is hitting .460 with a .481 OPS against the beleaguered hurler, and may try to take out a month of offensive frustration on him on Saturday night.
Ryan worked as an Editor and resident Lead NBA and MLB Writer for SB from 2017-19. He has authored his own weekly columns for Fox Sports and AskMen, and has created successful campaigns for the WWE, the NHL, and the NFL. Ryan's critically acclaimed stories have been published in 20 books.
