The Colorado Rockies arrive at Citi Field on Friday night carrying the burden of a dismal 8–42 record and the worst team ERA in Major League Baseball, an ominous pairing that has defined the early narrative of their 2025 season. Sitting at the bottom of the NL West, the Rockies have failed to find consistency in any major facet of the game, as both their rotation and bullpen have combined for a bloated 5.82 ERA while surrendering a staggering 63 home runs in just 50 games. Though their .219 team batting average mirrors that of the Mets, the impact of their offensive efforts has been substantially muted by poor run production timing, weak situational hitting, and an inability to build or maintain leads. Colorado’s offensive core has shown occasional flashes—players like Ryan McMahon and Ezequiel Tovar have had stretches of productivity—but none have emerged as a reliable centerpiece capable of carrying the team on a nightly basis. On the mound, the rotation continues to struggle with command and durability, often failing to reach the fifth inning and putting immediate pressure on a bullpen that is already overworked and often ineffective. Despite the daily hardships, the Rockies have somehow managed to cover the run line in 31 of their last 49 games, suggesting that even in losses, they’ve managed to hang around longer than their record might imply.

That said, these moral victories haven’t translated into results in the standings, and a matchup against a Mets team thriving off elite pitching and timely hitting presents another uphill climb. If the Rockies hope to be competitive in this game, they will need a breakout performance from their starting pitcher—whoever draws the assignment must find a way to keep the Mets’ contact-heavy lineup from executing their signature small-ball strategy that slowly chips away at opponents. Defensively, the Rockies cannot afford unforced errors, as even minor miscues have regularly snowballed into multi-run innings against quality opposition. The club also needs to maximize rare scoring opportunities, as they continue to rank among the league’s worst in hitting with runners in scoring position. Manager Bud Black has likely emphasized a simplified, fundamentals-first approach in hopes of getting back to the basics and stabilizing the team’s performance, but with morale sagging and the clubhouse under increasing pressure, even the basics have been difficult to execute with any consistency. In a season that’s quickly spiraling out of control, every game becomes a test of resilience and character, and while expectations remain modest, the Rockies would benefit immensely from a tight, competitive showing that could serve as a blueprint for future improvement. With little left to lose and everything to prove, Colorado’s challenge will be to stay competitive from the first pitch, limit free passes, and hope that their bats can rise to the occasion against one of the National League’s sharpest pitching staffs.