Game Details

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Date

Friday, April 24, 2026

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Venue

Citi Field, Queens, New York

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Starting Pitchers

José Quintana (COL) vs. Kodai Senga (NYM)

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TV/Streaming

Check local and regional listings

Odds at a Glance

Verified pre-game odds for this matchup were not available at time of publication. With both starting pitchers posting ERAs above 6.00, and each team showing significant offensive inconsistency, this game carries all the hallmarks of a high-variance, high-scoring affair. Bettors should monitor the lines as they are posted — early action will likely reflect the home-field advantage Mets bettors have long leaned on at Citi Field. Given the pitching matchup (Quintana vs. Senga, combined 0-5 record and ERAs of 6.23 and 8.83 respectively), the game total is worth watching, as both starters have struggled to limit damage.

Preview: A Fresh Start for Two Struggling Teams

The New York Mets desperately need wins. After suffering through the worst stretch in Citi Field's modern era — a 12-game losing streak that dropped them to 8-16 and last in the National League East — they finally turned things around this week. Back-to-back wins over the Minnesota Twins have breathed just enough life into a Queens clubhouse that was flirting with full-scale panic.

Enter the Colorado Rockies.

The Rockies arrive in New York having just wrapped up a homestand with a 10-8 loss to the San Diego Padres on Thursday, blowing an 8-5 ninth-inning lead when closer Victor Vodnik imploded for five runs. Colorado is heading into a six-game road trip and will now face a Mets team with something to prove.

For New York, this series against the Rockies kicks off what CBS Sports has called a "theoretically softer stretch of schedule" — 12 consecutive games against Colorado, the Los Angeles Angels, and the Washington Nationals. If the Mets are going to salvage any semblance of a playoff push in 2026, they must take full advantage of this window. Friday's opener features a pitching matchup that offers neither team much cause for optimism — but plenty of reason for offense to take center stage.

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New York Mets Analysis

Season Record & Recent Form

The Mets entered this series at 8-16, the worst record in the National League. Their 12-game losing streak — the longest since 2002 and one of the longest in franchise history — left manager Carlos Mendoza's job security in question and sparked widespread concern about the team's postseason aspirations.

The good news: the bleeding has stopped, at least temporarily. On April 22, with Juan Soto returning from a right calf strain, New York edged Minnesota 3-2 to snap the streak. Two days later, the Mets came from behind to beat the Twins 10-8 in a game where Brett Baty launched a three-run homer in the first inning and Bo Bichette delivered a bases-clearing double in the eighth to snap a 7-7 tie. Back-to-back wins have not erased the larger concern, but momentum is a real thing in baseball.

Key Offensive Contributors

Juan Soto is the centerpiece of the Mets offense and the player whose presence — or absence — swings New York's ceiling dramatically. After missing 17 days with his calf strain, Soto returned April 22 going 1-for-3 with a walk. His health and immediate return to form are the most important variable for New York's season.

Bo Bichette has been inconsistent to start his Mets tenure (.238/.270/.314 through 25 games) but delivered a huge performance on April 24, going 3-for-5 with a double, two runs, and three RBI. If Bichette can find a consistent groove, the Mets' middle of the lineup becomes much harder to navigate.

Brett Baty has struggled at the plate (.225/.250/.338) but offers pop when he connects, as evidenced by his first home run of the season on April 24 — a three-run blast in the first inning that set the tone for an eventual Mets win.

Mark Vientos had a clutch two-out bloop single to break the tie in the April 22 win over Minnesota, providing exactly the kind of situational hitting the Mets need from their depth bats.

Starting Pitcher: Kodai Senga (0-3, 8.83 ERA, 1.90 WHIP)

The situation with Kodai Senga is alarming. After starting the 2026 season in solid fashion — allowing just four runs with a 16-to-5 K/BB ratio in his first 11⅔ innings — Senga collapsed spectacularly over his last two starts, surrendering 14 runs (13 earned) on 14 hits and five walks in only 5⅔ innings. He now carries a ballooned 8.83 ERA through 17⅓ innings, with a 1.90 WHIP and a 2.20 SO/BB ratio that signals he can still generate strikeouts, but that his inability to keep runners off base is the core problem.

Manager Carlos Mendoza has publicly committed to keeping Senga in the rotation, but the 33-year-old right-hander absolutely must deliver a quality start Friday to maintain that status. The rest of the Mets' rotation — featuring Nolan McLean, Freddy Peralta, and David Peterson (5.40 ERA) — offers little depth security if Senga continues to implode.

Injury Report

Francisco Lindor (left calf strain, IL, expected return May 29): The All-Star shortstop exited the April 22 win over Minnesota and was placed on the 10-day IL. Manager Mendoza confirmed the injury is "worse than Soto's" and Lindor is expected to miss over a month. Ronny Mauricio has been recalled as primary shortstop.
Jorge Polanco (wrist, IL, expected return Apr 24): Day-to-day status.
A.J. Minter (lat, IL, expected return May 1)
Tylor Megill (elbow, out until Feb 2027)
Reed Garrett (elbow, out until Feb 2027)
Justin Hagenman (ribs, out until May 27)

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Colorado Rockies Analysis

Season Record & Recent Form

The Colorado Rockies have been an early-season surprise — not in terms of winning, but in terms of not being historically terrible. After posting a 5.99 team ERA in 2025 (worst in the majors), Colorado has managed a 4.40 team ERA through the early portion of 2026, a notable improvement.

Their homestand that concluded April 24 was a tale of offensive sizzle and bullpen implosion. Multiple Rockies hitters caught fire at altitude — but a 10-8 loss to San Diego in the finale, when closer Victor Vodnik surrendered five runs in two-thirds of an inning to blow an 8-5 lead, sent the team off on a sour note. Now the Rockies begin a six-game road trip, starting in New York, where the comforts of Coors Field will be absent.

Key Offensive Contributors

Mickey Moniak has been Colorado's hottest hitter, going 4-for-5 with two solo home runs against San Diego on April 24, extending his hitting streak to eight games (.419 with eight extra-base hits and six RBI during that stretch). Through 19 games, Moniak is slashing .324/.347/.750 with a 1.097 OPS — elite production that will be tested away from Coors Field's altitude.

Hunter Goodman has been one of the Rockies' most productive overall bats (.264/.340/.540, .880 OPS through 24 games), providing legitimate power and a quality on-base approach from the outfield.

Troy Johnston delivered five RBI during the homestand, including a 3-for-4 performance with two RBI singles against San Diego on April 24. He has started nine consecutive games and is developing into a trusted everyday contributor.

Edouard Julien has been steady and consistent (.273/.360/.379 through 75 plate appearances), riding a four-game hitting streak into the road trip. His .360 OBP makes him one of the better on-base options in Colorado's lineup.

Ezequiel Tovar (.204/.245/.323) is below expectations and remains one of the weaker spots in the Rockies' everyday lineup.

Starting Pitcher: José Quintana (0-2, 6.23 ERA, 1.85 WHIP)

Veteran left-hander José Quintana has struggled significantly in 2026, posting a 6.23 ERA through 13 innings. His SO/BB ratio of 0.44 is a serious red flag — Quintana has been walking far more hitters than he's striking out, a deeply unsustainable pattern. His 1.85 WHIP reflects his consistent inability to keep runners off the bases.

Quintana faces a newly re-energized Mets lineup led by a healthy Juan Soto, and pitching in an atmosphere at Citi Field that will be elevated after New York's recent winning streak. His left-handed approach offers some theoretical matchup advantages, but the overall peripherals suggest another difficult outing is entirely possible.

Injury Report

Kris Bryant (back, IL, expected return May 31): The veteran infielder/outfielder remains sidelined with a back issue.
Kyle Freeland (shoulder, IL, expected return Apr 28)
Ryan Feltner (triceps, IL, expected return Apr 29)
Jeff Criswell (elbow, IL, expected return May 1)
McCade Brown (shoulder, IL, expected return May 24)
Pierson Ohl (elbow, out until Apr 2027)
RJ Petit (elbow, out until Jun 2027)
Victor Vodnik (closer, active but shaky): 7.59 ERA, 2.16 WHIP in 10⅔ innings as Colorado's closer. His April 24 meltdown may cost him the role. The Rockies may turn to Jaden Hill or Seth Halvorsen in future high-leverage situations.
Sammy Peralta (LHP): Expected to be called up Friday, adding a left-handed bullpen arm for the road trip.

Head-to-Head History & Betting Trends

The Mets and Rockies traditionally have a Coors Field dynamic — when they meet in Denver, run totals skyrocket thanks to the altitude. Games at Citi Field in New York tend to be more neutralized, playing closer to league average in terms of run environment. This series will confirm whether Colorado's offensive production is driven by their lineup's genuine quality or by the unique conditions at altitude.

This opener carries significant scheduling context for both teams. For the Mets, it's the start of that critical 12-game softer stretch they must exploit after their 8-16 start. For the Rockies, it's the first game of a six-game road trip immediately following a demoralizing bullpen collapse at home.

From a betting perspective, the combined pitching profile (Quintana at 6.23 ERA, Senga at 8.83 ERA) makes the over on game totals the most logical conversation starter when lines become available. Both starters have surrendered runs in bunches, and neither bullpen is locked down — the Mets' Devin Williams has surrendered eight runs over two innings in his last four appearances, and Colorado's Vodnik just imploded for five runs in under an inning.

The Mets' home-field advantage and the motivational gap (New York is fighting for relevance; Colorado is on a rebuilding curve) should translate to the Mets being modestly favored in this matchup. However, given Senga's alarming recent form, any Mets edge will need to be earned by their offense rather than their pitching.

FAQ

Who are the starting pitchers for Mets vs. Rockies on April 25, 2026?

Colorado sends veteran left-hander José Quintana (0-2, 6.23 ERA, 1.85 WHIP) to the mound, while New York counters with right-hander Kodai Senga (0-3, 8.83 ERA, 1.90 WHIP). Both starters have struggled considerably, making this a potential high-scoring game.

Is Francisco Lindor playing in this series?

No. Lindor was placed on the 10-day IL with a left calf strain after exiting the April 22 win over Minnesota. Manager Carlos Mendoza said he will be down "a while," with his expected return listed as May 29. Ronny Mauricio has been recalled as primary shortstop.

How have the Mets been playing heading into this series?

After a brutal 12-game losing streak — the longest in 24 years — the Mets won back-to-back games against Minnesota (April 22 and April 24) to enter this series on a two-game winning streak. Juan Soto returned from injury for both wins, and the offense has looked more dynamic.

Will the Colorado Rockies' offense translate to road games?

That is the central question for the Rockies. Mickey Moniak carries an eight-game hitting streak and has been outstanding at Coors Field, but Colorado's offense has historically struggled on the road without the altitude advantage that inflates their home numbers. Expect some regression from the Rockies' hottest hitters at Citi Field.

What happened to Victor Vodnik and the Rockies bullpen?

Vodnik blew a three-run save on April 24 against San Diego, allowing five runs in two-thirds of an inning to cost Colorado a win. His ERA as the Rockies' closer now sits at 7.59 with a 2.16 WHIP. The team may pivot to Jaden Hill or Seth Halvorsen in future save situations. ---