Series Preview: Mets Finish Road Trip in Denver

The New York Mets (26-25) took a small step back after a successful finish to their homestand, losing two out of three against the Chicago Cubs. They were able to salvage the final game of that series on Thursday, thanks to a remarkable pitching performance from Carlos Carrasco. New York will cap off their road trip with a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies (22-29), who are currently last in the National League West division. Here are some important notes to look at for each of the three pitching matchups.

Friday, May 26, 2023: RHP Max Scherzer (3-2, 4.01 ERA) vs. RHP Connor Seabold (1-1, 5.97 ERA)

Max Scherzer has yet to reach the level of performance he showed in his first season with the Mets, but his last two starts show that he may be starting to turn a corner. He has only allowed one run on five hits over his last 11 innings of work, dropping his ERA from 5.56 to 4.01 during that stretch. The velocity on his four-seam fastball was down in his last start against the Cleveland Guardians, so he relied on his breaking stuff to get through six scoreless innings. Scherzer will be making his 13th career start against the Rockies this weekend, pitching to a 2-5 record with a 4.54 ERA in the previous 69 1/3 innings.

Connor Seabold made his first seven appearances of the season from the bullpen, giving the Rockies some much-needed length as a long man. The right-hander was inserted into the starting rotation at the beginning of May, a role he struggled with. He has given up 11 runs, nine of which have been earned, over his last eight innings of work. His last start was his worst so far, as Seabold surrendered five runs on five hits, including two home runs, in 3 2/3 innings against the Texas Rangers. He will be looking to bounce back against a team he has never faced in the Mets.

Saturday, May 27, 2023: RHP Justin Verlander (2-2, 3.60 ERA) vs. RHP Chase Anderson (0-0, 1.15 ERA)

Justin Verlander has had two rough starts and two magnificent starts in his first season in a Mets uniform. The right-hander had an injury to begin the season, but it seems as if he is rediscovering his rhythm from a year ago. Verlander made one mistake in his last start against the Guardians, giving up a solo home run to All-Star third baseman José Ramírez in the top of the first. That would be it for Cleveland, as the 40-year-old would throw eight innings of one-run ball, allowing just three hits and striking out five. Verlander has pitched well against Colorado throughout his career, owning a 3-1 record with a 2.08 ERA in 34 2/3 innings.

Chase Anderson was recently signed by the Rockies after the Tampa Bay Rays designated the right-hander for assignment back on May 10. The 35-year-old has made two starts since joining Colorado, throwing a total of 11 2/3 innings during that stretch. Anderson last pitched on Monday, allowing two runs to score on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings against the Miami Marlins. At this stage of his career, he is at his best when he is a ground ball pitcher. Anderson throws four pitches at least 10 percent of the time, so deception is certainly a part of his game plan when he takes the mound.

Sunday, May 28, 2023: RHP Tylor Megill (5-3, 4.32 ERA) vs. LHP Austin Gomber (4-4, 6.48 ERA)

It looked as if Tylor Megill had steadied the ship after a tough start to the month of May, that was until his last start against the Chicago Cubs. The right-hander struggled at Wrigley Field, surrendering six runs, four of which were earned, in just 3 2/3 innings. Seiya Suzuki and Matt Mervis each hit a home run off Megill in the bottom of the second inning, and just like that, the Mets trailed 4-0. The right-hander will be looking to bounce back after a rough performance in his only other outing against the Rockies. Megill took the defeat back on May 6, allowing three runs to score on six hits in just 4 2/3 innings.

Austin Gomber is 18-20 with a 5.31 ERA in 50 starts since he was traded from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Rockies prior to the 2021 season. The left-hander has yet to reach his potential in Colorado, an issue that continues to be the case in 2023. Gomber has allowed 36 earned runs through 10 starts, the highest total in all of baseball. He did earn the victory in his last start, though, allowing three runs to score on four hits in 5 2/3 innings against the Marlins on Tuesday. Gomber will be starting his fourth career against the Mets Sunday, owning a 2-1 record with a 2.57 ERA in the previous 21 innings.