Friday, April 24, 2026 • 7:10 PM
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
RHP Michael Lorenzen (1-2, 7.48) vs. RHP Freddy Peralta (1-2, 4.05)
WPIX

The New York Mets have finally won back-to-back games and now will try to win three games in a row for the first time in what feels like a century!

Yesterday started off rough for the Mets. They revealed that Francisco Lindor has a significant calf injury and wouldn’t even put a timetable on his return. This is in contrast to his hamate surgery and Juan Soto’s calf injury that both had timetables within a day or so of the injury. Then Christian Scott struggled in his first major league start since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2024 and was pulled in the second inning.

But the Mets’ bats were alive and well last night. Brett Baty hit a massive three-run home run in the first inning. When the Minnesota Twins hit a grand slam late in the game to tie it at 7-7, Bo Bichette responded with a bases-clearing double in the eighth inning. There are signs of life! There are signs of Mets magic!

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Mets Lineup

  1. Bo Bichette – 3B
  2. Juan Soto – DH
  3. Francisco Alvarez – C
  4. Brett Baty – RF
  5. Mark Vientos – 1B
  6. Marcus Semien – 2B
  7. Carson Benge – LF
  8. Tyrone Taylor – CF
  9. Ronny Mauricio – SS

Starting Pitcher: Freddy Peralta

Peralta has thrown 26 2/3 innings over five starts with a 4.05 ERA, 4.35 FIP, 1.088 WHIP and a 97 ERA+ this season. His last start, which came against the Chicago Cubs, is pretty emblematic of his time with the Mets. His official line was three runs over 5 2/3 innings. Peralta left the game in the fifth inning with two runners on, and the next pitcher immediately allowed a three-run home run. Pretty demoralizing stuff, but it also shows that Peralta has been better than his season stats suggest. In one start against the Rockies last season, he allowed one run over five innings on three hits while striking out six batters.

Colorado has the following numbers against Peralta:

Opposing Lineup

  1. Mickey Moniak – DH
  2. Hunter Goodman – C
  3. TJ Rumfield – 1B
  4. Tyler Freeman – 2B
  5. Troy Johnston – RF
  6. Kyle Karros – 3B
  7. Ezequiel Tovar – SS
  8. Jake McCarthy – LF
  9. Brenton Doyle – CF

Michael Lorenzen has had a rough season so far. Over six games (five starts), he has tossed 21 2/3 innings with a 7.48 ERA, 5.32 FIP, 2.123 WHIP and a 63 ERA+. His last time out, he allowed three runs on seven hits over five innings. He has also had two starts this season where he has allowed seven or more runs.

Lorenzen will be hoping for a “get right” game against a Mets offense that doesn’t have tremendous numbers against him:

  • Francisco Alvarez 1-4
  • Brett Baty 0-3
  • Bo Bichette 1-3, 2B
  • Ronny Mauricio 0-2, 2 K
  • MJ Melendez 1-10, 2B, BB, 3 K
  • Tommy Pham 3-13, HR, 6 K
  • Luis Robert Jr. 3-16, 2B, 2 BB, 4 K
  • Marcus Semien 3-5, 2B, K
  • Juan Soto 1-10, K
  • Tyrone Taylor 0-0, BB
  • Mark Vientos 2-2, HR

Game Notes

  • Manager Carlos Mendoza stated that Kodai Senga will start against the Rockies on Saturday, followed by Nolan McLean on Sunday and Clay Holmes in the series opener against the Washington Nationals on Tuesday before David Peterson pitches on Wednesday, likely as the starter, after Scott was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse.
  • Lindor is in a walking boot after suffering a left calf strain on Wednesday, and he’s set to be reevaluated in three weeks. President of baseball operations David Stearns stated that he could have a “relatively quick” progression depending on how he heels over that span.

Three Things To Watch For

  1. The Baby Mets. It’s time for Baty, Vientos, Mauricio and Alvarez to take over. With Lindor and Jorge Polanco both currently sidelined (and Soto’s injury/recovery plan), the four baby Mets from 2024 have a real opportunity to make their mark. Baty had a huge game last night, going 2-for-4 with a massive three-run home run and two runs scored. He has a .600 OBP in his last four games! Vientos made a bad mistake on the bases on Wednesday, but he made up for it with the go-ahead hit to end the Mets’ losing streak. Mauricio finally has a chance to show he’s a major league-ready shortstop on a team that has Bichette, who could very well play short too.
  2. The New Mets. Bichette had a massive game last night for the Mets, going 3-for-5 with a bases-clearing double to give the Mets a lead in the eighth inning. He now has a three-game hitting streak and a double in back-to-back games. Semien also has a double in back-to-back games. In his last six games, Semien has gone 8-for-21 with three doubles and three stolen bases (.381/.435/.524).
  3. The Top Prospect. Benge is coming off of his best day at the plate since Opening Day, going 2-for-3 with a double and a homer. It’s been a tough season for Benge, who is hitting .159/.237/.275 to start his major league career with a 46 OPS+. The team fell apart around him and had a historic losing streak – difficult working conditions! Hopefully last night is the start of a good run for Benge!

Let’s go Mets!