Free MLB Picks Today: New York Mets vs Colorado Rockies 5/5/23

The Colorado Rockies (12-20) take one of the lowest-scoring lineups in the National League on the road to face the New York Mets (16-16) at Citi Field on Friday to open a three-game series. The Rockies are kicking off a six-game road trip after closing out a successful six-game homestand (4-2).

They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Brewers, taking the finale 9-6 on Thursday at Coors Field for their fourth straight win. Mike Moustakas was 2 for 4 with a double and two runs.

The Mets are coming off a four-game sweep at the hands of the Tigers, dropping the finale 2-0 on Thursday at Comerica Park. Tommy Pham went 1 for 3.

The teams are meeting for the first time this season. In 2022, the Mets won five of the seven games between the teams, including three out of four in their most recent meeting at Citi Field in August.

ON THE MOUND

Antonio Senzatela is in line for the start for Colorado, his season debut. Last season, the RHP made 19 starts and went 3-7 with a 5.07 ERA. He had 54 strikeouts and 23 walks over 92.1 innings. Righty Kodai Senga (3-1, 4.15 ERA) gets the start for New York.

In his last start on April 26, Senga took the loss at home against the Nationals. He threw five innings and gave up two runs on five hits, striking out seven and walking four in the 4-1 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

The Colorado offense is averaging 4.2 runs per game for the season, third lowest in the National League, with a slash line of .251/.314/.392. Elias Diaz leads the team in OPS at .890. The first baseman is slashing .337/.390/.500 with three home runs, 16 RBIs, and 12 runs over 29 games.

Over the last five games, though, Colorado has averaged 7.0 runs a game while slashing better across the board (.323/.383/.533). Against right-handed pitchers like Senga this season, the Rockies have a .712 OPS. Diaz also is the team’s best hitter against right-handers with a 1.063 OPS in 67 at-bats.

New York is slashing .242/.330/.395 for the season and averaging 4.4 runs per game. Pete Alonso leads the team with ann .873 OPS. The second baseman has 11 home runs, 28 RBIs, and 23 runs scored with a slash line of .250/.323/.550.

The Mets have a .733 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .870 OPS over 73 at-bats, Jeff McNeil has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Colorado is 5-11 away from Coors Field in 2023, scoring 3.3 runs per game while allowing 4.3 runs. New York has gone 6-6 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 4.3. New York is 8-2 in the last 10 games between the teams at Citi Field with an average scoreline of 3.4-1.8.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Rockies are fifth in the NL West, seven games behind the division-leading Dodgers. The Mets are second in the NL East, five games behind the Braves.