The final Friday of April brings an intriguing National League clash to Citi Field as the Colorado Rockies visit the New York Mets on April 24, 2026. This matchup features two veteran right-handers at very different stages of their season: the Rockies’ Michael Lorenzen, who is fighting through early-season command issues, and the Mets’ newly acquired ace, Freddy Peralta, who has looked every bit the top-of-the-rotation anchor New York expected.+1
The Pitching Breakdown
Michael Lorenzen (COL): Lorenzen’s transition to the Rockies’ rotation has been rocky. He enters this start with a bloated 7.48 ERA and a 2.12 WHIP through five starts. His most recent outing against the Dodgers offered a glimmer of hope—5.0 innings of three-run ball—but the underlying metrics remain concerning. Lorenzen has surrendered 40 hits in just 21.2 innings of work, and while he isn’t walking many batters (only six free passes), his “stuff” is being found too easily in the heart of the zone. For Lorenzen, success in Queens depends on his sinker inducing early-count ground balls to navigate a disciplined Mets order.+1
Freddy Peralta (NYM): Peralta has quickly become a fan favorite in New York. Since arriving via trade from Milwaukee in January, the two-time All-Star has stabilized a rotation in flux. Through five starts, Peralta carries a 4.05 ERA, but his 1.09 WHIP and 28 strikeouts in 26.2 innings tell a more dominant story. He is coming off a sharp 5.2-inning performance at Wrigley Field where he allowed only three hits. Peralta’s ability to “hide” the ball and blow mid-90s heaters past hitters makes him a massive favorite against a Rockies lineup that currently leads the league in strikeouts per game (10.21).
Best Bets for April 24
1. New York Mets Moneyline (-175) While the price is steep, the Mets are the only logical play on the board. Freddy Peralta is a “strikeout machine” facing the most strikeout-prone offense in the majors. Furthermore, the Rockies have struggled to produce runs away from high altitude, and Lorenzen’s tendency to allow high hit totals plays right into the Mets’ hands. Expect the Mets to provide enough early run support for Peralta to coast through six innings.
2. Under 8.0 Total Runs (-115) Despite Lorenzen’s high ERA, Citi Field is a cavernous pitcher’s haven that often suppresses home run totals. Peralta is elite at managing high-leverage situations, and Lorenzen is likely to adopt a more cautious, ground-ball-centric approach after his recent struggles. With both bullpens relatively rested, a 5-2 or 4-1 Mets victory is the most statistically probable outcome.
3. Freddy Peralta Over 6.5 Strikeouts (-130) This is the “sharpest” prop of the night. The Rockies’ offense has been historically vulnerable to high-velocity right-handers with high-spin sliders. Peralta has cleared the six-strikeout mark in three of his five starts this season and should have no trouble reaching seven against a Colorado lineup that frequently expands the zone when trailing early.
The Sharp Edge: Keep an eye on the Mets’ lineup card. If Francisco Alvarez (currently leading the league with 10 home runs) is behind the plate, his familiarity with Peralta’s sequencing from their Opening Day victory will likely boost Peralta’s efficiency and strikeout upside.
Baseball Best Bets 