The Colorado Rockies made a practical decision before the first pitch was ever thrown. With snow and heavy rain in the Denver forecast, the team confirmed Sunday that Monday’s game against the New York Mets at Coors Field would start three hours earlier than planned. What was set for an 8:40 p.m. first pitch is now scheduled for 5:40 p.m., a move aimed at avoiding the worst of the incoming weather system.
Weather Forces Early Adjustment
The adjustment follows mounting concern over near-freezing temperatures and a mix of precipitation expected to settle over the city. Early May baseball in Denver often carries weather risks, but the current forecast pushed the Rockies to act a day in advance rather than risk a delay or postponement after fans had already arrived. The organization also clarified that all tickets for May 4 will remain valid despite the time change, limiting disruption for those planning to attend.
Whether the rest of the series will proceed as scheduled remains uncertain. The Mets and Rockies are set to continue with a Tuesday night game and a Wednesday afternoon finale, but lingering cold conditions could still force additional changes. The situation places both teams in a holding pattern, balancing preparation with the forecast’s unpredictability.
Mets Arrive Under Pressure
For the Mets, the trip to Denver arrives at a fragile moment. The team recently halted a 12-game losing streak and secured a series win over the Los Angeles Angels, offering a brief reset after a difficult stretch. Even so, their overall record through 31 games marks the franchise’s worst start since 1981, with only the 1964 team performing worse over that span.
Despite the downturn, team leadership has made it clear that manager Carlos Mendoza is not under immediate threat. President of baseball operations David Stearns stated that the struggles are not being attributed to managerial performance and confirmed there are no plans to make a change. The stance is notable given recent decisions by other organizations, including the Red Sox and Phillies, who dismissed their managers amid underwhelming starts.
Mendoza, now in the final guaranteed year of his contract, is navigating a roster that saw significant coaching turnover after narrowly missing the postseason last year. The contrast between last season’s strong start and subsequent collapse still lingers, adding context to the current skid.
Rockies Looking to Halt Slide
On the other side, the Rockies enter the series on a four-game losing streak of their own, having just been swept by the Atlanta Braves. Monday’s earlier start may avoid the worst of the weather, but it does little to shield either team from the broader challenges they carry into the series.
