Series Preview: Mets Return Home to Host Diamondbacks

After a big-time series win against the San Francisco Giants, the New York Mets return home to take on the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks are 5-5 on the season, traveling out east after a series split with the Atlanta Braves.

It is a very intriguing series for New York, especially on the offensive side of the ball. It is also an important series, as winning it would give the Mets another lead over a National League opponent. It’s also going to be a very cold series, with Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s games moving up to 4:10 start times due to windy and frigid conditions when the sun goes down.

What are the key things to know for the series? And what are the matchups and players to know? Let us dive into it.

Pitching Matchups

Tuesday: Freddy Peralta (1-0, 4.35 ERA) vs. Zac Gallen (1-1, 3.60 ERA) 

• Freddy Peralta was much better in his second start for the Mets. Facing the St. Louis Cardinals, Peralta struck out seven batters and only allowed three hits in 5 1/3 innings. His command was much better until the sixth inning, when he walked two batters. Outside of that blip, though, Peralta consistently pounded the strike zone and showcased an impressive arsenal that kept St. Louis guessing. Expect the high-level pitcher to continue to progress in his next start against the Diamondbacks, both from a command and strikeout perspective. 
• In his two starts, Zac Gallen has shown both the good and the bad of his game. Against the Dodgers, Gallen gave up four runs and five hits over four innings. He then rebounded against the Tigers, going six shutout innings while also striking out two batters. New York has the ability to put up a crooked number on Gallen, but he is not a pitcher to take lightly. This will be a very interesting matchup to watch early in the week.

Wednesday: David Peterson (0-1, 4.66 ERA) vs. TBD

• In the Mets’ 2026 rotation, the biggest concern may be David Peterson. Through two starts, the lefty has a 4.66 ERA and an overall pitching value of -2. His average fastball velocity is 90.7 (3rd percentile), he has a 16.3% strikeout rate, and has allowed a 45.9% hard-hit rate. Peterson is keeping the ball on the ground, but he is not generating whiffs and is allowing a large quantity of hits. Additionally, his command has not been as crisp as in past years. For Peterson to be effective, the location and sequencing of his arsenal need to be spot on. If he cannot find himself, the Mets will have to start keeping an eye on the lefty’s spot in the rotation. 
• As of the writing of this article, the Diamondbacks have not announced a starting pitcher for Wednesday’s game.

Thursday: Nolan McLean (1-0, 2.61 ERA) vs. Eduardo Rodriguez (0-0, 0.00 ERA) 

A rematch of the WBC final!

• If he is not the best pitcher on the Mets, Nolan McLean is pretty damn close. Through two starts, McLean is 1-0, has a 2.61 ERA, and has struck out 12 batters in just over 10 innings. He has a pitching run value of 2, a 29.3% strikeout rate, and has generated a 31.9% whiff rate. Additionally, all of McLean’s pitches have been effective—none of his pitches have a negative run value, while his sinker, curveball, and changeup have generated a positive run value. McLean is a must-watch every time he steps foot on the mound, and that will be the case once again on Thursday. 
• Through two starts, Eduardo Rodriguez is off to a great start for the Diamondbacks following an all-time World Baseball Classic performance. The lefty has not allowed a run through 12 innings, striking out eight batters in the process. His fastball velocity and strikeout rate are not sky high, but the lefty is essentially not walking batters and is giving up hard contact at a very low rate. Out of the pitchers the Mets are facing in this series, Rodriguez is the most formidable. 

The Main Storyline

In this series against the Diamondbacks, my main question/headline is this: How will the Mets deal with the absence of Juan Soto?

Off to a hot start to the 2026 season, the star outfielder has hit the injured list with a strained calf. The typical recovery time for the injury, as reported by MLB.com, is 2-3 weeks.

While Soto is absent, I’m intrigued to see how New York will go about trying to bridge the gap until his return. Will the recently called-up Ronny Mauricio receive consistent plate appearances? Can Brett Baty or Carson Benge slide into an everyday role at the plate or in the field? Can Jared Young continue to provide value? Is there a chance a new face from the minor leagues could be the answer?

There is no real way to replace the MVP-level production that Soto brings to the offensive side of the game. He is one of the best hitters in the sport and consistently gives the Mets a chance to win games; those players do not simply spawn out of the blue. However, this development will provide a legitimate way for the Mets to determine who can be an impact, or even a solid, contributor for them in the early parts of 2026. If one or two players step up, it could truly help New York develop into an offensive power this season.

For those reasons, this is my main headline of the week.

Player to Watch 

Mark Vientos is my player to watch this week. Off to a blazing hot start this season, I want to see if Vientos can continue mashing the baseball in Citi Field against the Diamondbacks. If the infielder is truly back, or close, to his 2024 form, the Mets’ lineup may have gotten much deeper than many could have anticipated.

Prediction

In their series against the Diamondbacks, I have the Mets winning two of three games. Brett Baty will have two extra-base hits, including a home run. Nolan McLean will get his second win of the season, striking out eight batters in the process. Carson Benge will also have multiple hits in the series.

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