The Rockies dropped the opening game to the Mets last night by a final score of 3-2. To add insult to injury, the winning run was scored by former Rockies player Eric Young Jr, who was traded for the Rockies starting pitcher in the game Chad Bettis. It was another game in which Wilton Lopez took the loss. He is now 1-4 on the year with a 4.53 ERA. This begs the question of how long the Rockies are going to continue to put Lopez in with the game on the line. He has proved time after time that he is not a reliable source coming out of the bullpen, and yet Walt Weiss continues to use him late in the game. The experiment has run its course and it is now time to move on to different options.
Jhoulys Chacin will be taking the mound tonight for the Rockies. Chacin has had a great year on the mound and has compiled a record of 10-5 with a 3.40 ERA. He picked up his 10th victory of the season in his last time out against the Pirates. He was brilliant on the night as he went eight innings allowing six hits, one run, no walks and struck out three. He was the only Rockies pitcher who was able to get a victory during this current road trip that the Rockies are currently on. In his last ten starts he is 7-2 and has lowered his ERA from 4.52 to a very good 3.40. He has been a reliable option for the Rockies as they have been struggling as of late. He continually keeps the Rockies in the game and gives them a chance to win each game that he starts. He has been one of the best pitchers in the game of baseball on the road this year as he has a 4-2 record with a 1.78 ERA in eight games started on the road. He has held opponents to a .231 average in those starts. Current Mets have struggled against Chacin in their career matchups as they have hit for just a .212 average with only one RBI in 33 combined at bats. Ike Davis has had the most luck against Chacin as he is 3 for 6 against him. Chacin is catching the Mets at the right time as their superstar in David Wright is on the disabled list with a tight hamstring. without Wright the Mets do not have much power in their lineup, but they are a scrappy team, and they are hungry for victories. Chacin will need to take advantage of their youth and make sure that he can get them to swing at the pitch he wants them to. If he can do this then he has a chance to get the Rockies a much needed victory.
The Mets will be sending their future to the mound tonight as Matt Harvey takes the ball for the Mets. Harvey has an electric arm and has some of the best stuff currently in the game of baseball. His ability on the mound earned him the right to start the All Star game for the National League. He has had a vey impressive year this year as he is 8-3 with a 2.21 ERA. He has been nearly unhittable this year and is showing no signs of getting tired. He did however take the loss in his last start as he lasted 5 2/3rd innings allowing five hits, three runs, no walks and struck out eight Marlins hitters. Harvey has not been getting the offensive support that he needs and that has been evidenced by his low win total. He has gone eight innings or more in four games this year and he has taken a no decision in three of those games. Perhaps his best start of the year was against the White Sox in early May when he went nine innings allowing just one hit and striking out 12 batters, but took a no decision in the game as the Mets eventually won 1-0 in extra innings. He has been good at home this year but once again has not received much run support in his favor. He is 3-2 with a 2.03 ERA in 12 games started at Citi Field. Harvey made one start against the Rockies last year and allowed just one run in six innings of work while striking out nine batters. Current Rockies are hitting just .158 with three singles and one RBI in 19 combined at bats. Harvey is making a strong case to be the National League Cy Young Award winner this year as he currently leads the NL in strikeouts and is second in ERA and WHIP. If he had a little more run support from his team, he could easily be around the 15 win mark right now.
The Mets lineup for the game tonight is as follows:
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The Rockies lineup for the game tonight is as follows:
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First pitch for the game tonight is scheduled for 5:10 PM Mountain time. This matchup looks to be another pitchers duel as Matt Harvey and Jhoulys Chacin do battle under the bright lights of New York.
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