AP Sports Preview

NEW YORK (Interstat) — The Colorado Rockies visit the New York Mets on Friday night at Citi Field, with both teams looking to escape the National League basement. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. EDT under cloudy skies and 65 degrees.

Colorado (10-16) has lost five of its past six games, including a 10-8 defeat to San Diego on Thursday. The Rockies will start right-hander Michael Lorenzen (1-2), who will take the ball opposite Mets right-hander Freddy Peralta (1-2). The Mets (8-16) have lost five of their past seven but enter after a 3-2 win Wednesday over Minnesota.

Players to watch

Rockies outfielder Mickey Moniak comes in scorching hot. Over his past three games, he is 7-for-13 with two home runs and three RBIs, including a 4-for-5, two-homer performance Thursday against San Diego. Moniak is hitting .400 over his last 10 contests.

Mets right-hander Clay Holmes has been sharp recently. He earned the win Wednesday, tossing seven innings of two-run ball, striking out three and scattering five hits. In his past two starts covering 12 innings, Holmes has a 1.50 ERA.

Pitching matchup

Lorenzen has struggled, allowing four earned runs or more in two of his past three outings. He faces a Mets lineup that ranks near the bottom of the NL in runs scored.

Peralta counters for New York. He allowed two earned runs over five innings in his most recent start April 15 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, but has not recorded a quality start in his past two appearances.

Projections

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 3-1 Colorado win, though the ELO system gives New York a 70% probability of victory. The Mets are installed as -1.5 favorites. The over/under is 8 runs.

Series outlook

The teams play again Saturday and Sunday at Citi Field before Colorado hosts New York for two games May 4-5.