The Mets and Diamondbacks are set to play a three-game series in Arizona from May 8-10. The Mets have recently improved, winning four of their last six games on the road.
Key points
Mets and Diamondbacks series starts May 8-10
Mets have won four of their last six games
Mets showing improvement after a tough April
Series consists of three games in Arizona
Predictions provided for the series outcomes
MetsDiamondbacksLos Angeles AngelsColorado Rockies
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Here are five things to watch and predictions as theMetsand Diamondbacks play a three-game series in Arizona starting on Friday.
5 things to watch
Mets showing signs of life
The Mets have won four of six games on their current road trip, taking two of three from both the Los Angeles Angels and the Colorado Rockies. In truth, they could have and maybe should have won all six games against two bad teams, but after their disastrous April, theyâre at least playing a little better in May.
Yet as of Friday, they still are tied with the San Francisco Giants for the worst record in baseball at 14-23, but the Mets have a chance to do more damage on the final leg of this nine-game trip against an Arizona Diamondbacks team that has lost six of its last seven games to fall to 17-19, mainly because of poor pitching, especially from their starters.
A chance to beat up on bad pitching
The Diamondbacks rank 26th in the majors in ERA at 4.78, and their starters are worse, ranking 28th with a 5.09 ERA. And thatâs despite Eduardo Rodriguez having an All-Star season so far, pitching to a 2.50 ERA in seven starts covering 39.1 innings.
Unfortunately for the Mets, Rodriguez, who pitched a strong game at Citi Field to beat New York in April, is lined up to pitch the Sunday finale of this series. But thereâs no excuse for the offense not to make some noise in the first two games, against (1-3, 6.61 ERA) and (1-3, 9.95 ERA).
Q&A
What are the key matchups in the Mets vs. Diamondbacks series?
The article highlights five key aspects to watch during the series, including player performances and team strategies.
How have the Mets performed recently before facing the Diamondbacks?
The Mets have won four of their last six games, showing signs of improvement after a tough April.
What is the schedule for the Mets vs. Diamondbacks series?
The series will take place over three games from May 8 to May 10 in Arizona.
What predictions are made for the Mets vs. Diamondbacks series?
The article provides predictions based on the current form of both teams and their recent performances.
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With a record of 1-2, McLean hasnât earned a win in over a month, going back to April 3 against the Giants. Obviously, some of that is due to a lack of run support, but as dominant as he looked in most of his starts, McLean also has had some trouble getting through the fifth and sixth innings, facing a lineup for a third time.
He goes into Friday nightâs start coming off perhaps his worst outing of the season, as he was pulled after only four innings, giving up three runs on six hits and a walk. Overall, though, McLean has been very good, holding opposing hitters to a .184 batting average while pitching to a 2.97 ERA.
May 2, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean (26) throws in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium.
May 2, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean (26) throws in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Carson Benge figuring it out?
Benge has provided a spark for the Mets on this road trip, playing some brilliant outfield defense while coming to life with the bat. With five hits in his last four games, including a home run and a double, as well as three walks, the rookie has raised his batting average to .208 while having much better at-bats overall than he did in his first month in the big leagues.
Benge actually has been making significant progress for a few weeks, going back to March 22 when he was hitting just .136 and looking overmatched. The Mets desperately need him to blossom into the impact hitter they envisioned, and the sooner the better.
One of the surprise stories of the season so far is Vargas, a journeyman infielder who is off to the start of his life, leading the majors with a .360 batting average to go with a .995 OPS while playing first base for the Diamondbacks. Vargas actually has cooled off slightly in the last few days, after his 27-game hitting streak, extending back to late last season, ended last Saturday. He was hitting .404 until then.
His early-season success is remarkable considering the 34-year-old Vargas has never been able to earn regular playing time in his 10-year career, during which he has been designated for assignment seven times while playing for five different teams.
Itâs not the boldest prediction, and Soto cooled off against the Rockies, but in this lineup, he has to hit for the Mets to win the series. Thus, the pick.
At 1.69, Holmes has the second-best ERA in MLB among qualified starters, behind only Shohei Ohtani. He hasnât allowed more than two runs in any of his seven starts this season.
Which D-Backs player will be a thorn in the Mets' side?
Ildemaro Vargas
How can I pick against the guy whoâs leading the majors in hitting with a .360 average?
