Mets Seeking First Sweep Of Season Against Rockies, Soto Stays In Leadoff Spot

The New York Mets have the opportunity to complete its first sweep of the 2026 campaign with a win over the Colorado Rockies on Thursday.

The game was initially supposed to be played Tuesday but was postponed due to a massive snowstorm that brought nine inches of snow to downtown Denver. The extra day of rest served the Mets well, as the team exploded for 10 runs to defeat the Rockies 10-5 and win the series Wednesday night.

Star outfielder Juan Soto led off a game for just the fourth time in his illustrious career and clobbered a 435-foot home run to left center field to begin the proceedings. New York piggybacked off Soto’s blast in the fourth with RBI from outfielder Carson Benge and catcher Luis Torrens, and put together a four-run sixth inning to open up an 8-0 lead before the Rockies scored its first run.

Colorado definitely made it interesting in the bottom half of the sixth, countering with four runs of its own, but a two-run shot from second baseman Marcus Semien was the final nail in the coffin. A bases loaded hit by pitch in the ninth made it a five-run game, but the Mets finished off the game and won just its fifth series of the year.

Mets ace right-hander Freddy Peralta pitched five clean innings and allowed just four hits and two walks while striking out one. Rockies righty Michael Lorenzen allowed seven runs on 11 hits and three walks while fanning two.

The lineup change that put Soto in the leadoff spot for the opener has proved to add a spark to the offense, having your best player set the tone early. Mendoza is keeping him in that spot against Rockies left-hander Jose Quintana.

Quintana is 1-2 with a 4.07 ERA and 1.36 WHIP through five starts (24.1 innings). The veteran lefty spent some time on the injured list with a right hamstring strain but has pitched well since returning.

He pitched six strong one-run innings on five hits with three strikeouts against the Atlanta Braves his last time out and will face the following Mets lineup:

1. Soto (DH)

2. Bo Bichette (3B)

3. Mark Vientos (1B)

4. Austin Slater (RF)

5. Semien (2B)

6. Andy Ibanez (LF)

7. Francisco Alvarez (C)

8. Tyrone Taylor (CF)

9. Vidal Brujan (SS)

Right-hander Christian Scott gets the nod for the Mets and is making his third start of the season for New York. He carries a 4.26 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 6.1 innings and although his first start was disastrous (five walks, one run in 1.1 innings), Scott bounced back with five sharp innings against the Los Angeles Angels in which he allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits with eight punchouts.

The 26-year-old will battle the following Rockies lineup:

1. Edouard Julien (2B)

2. Mickey Moniak (LF)

3. Tyler Freeman (DH)

4. TJ Rumfield (1B)

5. Troy Johnston (RF)

6. Willi Castro (SS)

7. Jake McCarthy (CF)

8. Kyle Karros (3B)

9. Brett Sullivan (C)

First pitch is at 3:10 p.m. EDT on MLB.TV and regional sports networks.