National League bottom-feeders kick off another three-game series Monday night, as the Colorado Rockies host the New York Mets at Coors Field.

The Rockies (14–21, 4th NL West) took all three contests in Queens, though they’ll trudge into the rematch as the losers of four straight. The Mets (12–22, 5th NL East) recently took two of three from the Angels in Anaheim, now looking to keep the momentum going and escape the worst record in baseball.

Looking at the pitching probables, New York will deploy right-hander Huascar Brazoban (2–0, 1.15 ERA) as an opener for struggling southpaw starter David Peterson (0–4, 6.53 ERA). Colorado will counter with veteran righty Tomoyuki Sugano (3–1, 2.84 ERA). 

First pitch is tabbed for 5:40 p.m. ET. The Mets enter as 1.5-run road favorites with -143 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Rockies are +119 underdogs, with the total set at O/U 11 runs.

Mets vs. Rockies Preview

New York Mets

The Amazins have been anything but. Staked to the worst record in MLB, New York has scored the second-fewest runs this season while ranking dead-last in wOBA (.285), OPS (.633) and wRC+ (81). Injuries have ravaged the lineup, but even the healthy players — outside of Juan Soto — have failed to produce. 

The pitching staff isn’t absolved from blame, though it can at least point to some poor batted-ball luck — and its own fair share of injuries. On Monday, the club will open with veteran right-hander Huascar Brazoban, who has impressed with a 1.15 ERA (2.75 xERA) and a 0.89 WHIP across 14 appearances. Then, they’ll roll the dice on southpaw David Peterson. The beleaguered starter has gotten crushed to the tune of a 6.53 ERA (4.69 xERA), while ranking below MLB’s 20th percentile with a .276 xBA (18th) and 47.5% hard-hit rate (14th). And if all goes well, they’ll again tempt fate with erratic closer Devin Williams.

Colorado Rockies

Colorado’s offense is a contradiction. No team has a higher batting average on balls in play, yet they’re liable for the highest strikeout rate in the National League. The “hitter’s paradise” of Coors Field also inflates their raw numbers. While the Rockies boast a top-10 OPS (.725), their park-adjusted wRC+ (90) ranks among the league’s bottom six. Sluggers Mickey Moniak and Hunter Goodman have done much of the heavy lifting with their 20 combined home runs. 

Pitching has remained a fatal flaw for the Rockies, their largely pedestrian staff constantly undone by the not-so-friendly confines of their home ballpark. While the club has gotten some early dominance from veteran right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano in the form of a 2.84 ERA across six starts, a glance under the hood raises some serious questions. The former Orioles starter — who posted a 4.64 ERA last season — ranks below MLB’s 20th percentile with a 5.53 xERA (18th), 16% strikeout rate (15th), and 12.9% barrel rate (10th).

Mets vs. Rockies Pick, Best Bet

Runs get scored at Coors Field. They get scored off David Peterson. And they’re seemingly about to get scored off Tomoyuki Sugano.

This pitching matchup at baseball’s most hitter-friendly environment should open the floodgates for plenty of scoring — regardless of each team’s lineup quality. The Mets should finally break out offensively, while the Rockies continue capitalizing on the Mile High air. 

Expect fireworks from Denver on Monday night.

Best Bet: Over 11 Runs (-104)