The New York Mets returned home to Citi Field on April 7, 2026, with the city’s brisk spring chill in the air, ready to open a six-game homestand against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Both teams entered the series opener looking to stay hot, but it was the Mets who carried the momentum, riding a three-game winning streak after a successful road trip that saw them take three out of four games from the San Francisco Giants.
The first pitch was scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET, moved up from the usual evening start due to a cold weather forecast that promised clear skies, a low of 33 degrees, and stiff winds out of the north-northwest at 15 to 25 mph. The chilly conditions were hardly ideal for hitters, and the buzz around Citi Field was all about pitching—specifically, the matchup between Mets ace Freddy Peralta and Diamondbacks right-hander Zac Gallen.
Freddy Peralta, making his third start for the Mets, brought a 1-0 record and a 4.35 ERA into the game. Peralta had been especially sharp in his previous outing, striking out seven and allowing just one run on three hits over 5 1/3 innings, though he took a no-decision for his efforts. On the other side, Zac Gallen, whose season had started with a rocky performance against the Los Angeles Dodgers, bounced back with a six-inning shutout victory in his most recent start, evening his record at 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA.
Both teams were dealing with significant injury absences. The Mets were without their star outfielder Juan Soto, who landed on the 10-day injured list with a right calf strain suffered on April 3. Soto’s absence, expected to last two to three weeks, left a gaping hole in the lineup. Manager Carlos Mendoza turned to a mix of Carson Benge, Tyrone Taylor, and Jared Young to fill the void in the outfield, while Brett Baty was listed as day-to-day with a thumb issue. The Mets’ injury list also included A.J. Minter, Dedniel Nunez, Tylor Megill, Justin Hagenman, and Reed Garrett, all sidelined with various ailments.
The Diamondbacks, meanwhile, were also shorthanded. Jordan Lawlar, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Tyler Locklear, Pavin Smith, and Merrill Kelly were all on the injured list, with several pitchers—including A.J. Puk, Cristian Mena, Blake Walston, Corbin Burnes, Andrew Saalfrank, and Justin Martinez—dealing with long-term injuries. Depth would be tested on both sides as the series unfolded.
Despite missing Soto, the Mets offense had been on a tear, averaging eight runs per game during their three-game win streak. Luis Robert Jr. had been a spark plug at the top of the lineup, hitting .333 with a .474 on-base percentage, six RBIs, and two stolen bases in 38 plate appearances. Mark Vientos, another breakout performer, boasted a .476 average with a .714 slugging percentage, one home run, and four RBIs in just 23 plate appearances. The Mets’ ability to manufacture runs without their superstar was a testament to their depth and resilience.
On the Diamondbacks’ side, Corbin Carroll was the standout, hitting .313 with two home runs, nine RBIs, and an impressive 1.067 OPS through 39 plate appearances. Carroll’s combination of power and patience at the plate made him a constant threat, while Geraldo Perdomo contributed with a home run and three RBIs, though his batting average lagged at .182.
Pitching, however, was expected to be the story of the day. The Mets had allowed the fourth-fewest runs in baseball to that point, and Peralta’s presence on the mound gave New York a distinct advantage. The Diamondbacks’ bullpen, by contrast, had struggled mightily, ranking 28th in MLB with a 6.50 ERA. Gallen’s strikeout rate had dipped to 3.6 per nine innings in his first two starts, a far cry from his career average of 9.4, raising concerns about his ability to miss bats in the cold conditions at Citi Field.
As for the odds, the Mets entered as favorites, listed at -150 on the moneyline with the Diamondbacks at +125. The over/under for total runs was set at seven, reflecting expectations of a low-scoring affair. The Mets had also covered the first five innings run line in 44 of their last 78 home games, yielding a 7% return on investment for those who backed them early.
Fans tuning in could catch the action on SNY, DBACKS.TV, or MLB.TV for out-of-market viewers, with streaming options available through Fubo and DIRECTV. For those braving the cold at Citi Field, tickets were available on StubHub, though the weather was sure to test the resolve of even the most die-hard supporters.
Before the game, much of the conversation centered on how the Mets would continue to cope without Soto. Francisco Lindor had been mired in a slump, managing just two extra-base hits in 48 at-bats, and there were questions about whether the offense could sustain its recent production. "Eventually, replacing a six-time Silver Slugger like Soto with Jared Young, Carson Benge, or Brett Baty will catch up with the Mets," observed one analyst, pointing to the challenge ahead.
The Diamondbacks, too, had their offensive woes, with only Carroll producing consistently while the rest of the lineup struggled to find its rhythm. Their recent 5-2 run over the last seven games, however, suggested a team capable of grinding out close contests, even as their bullpen remained a glaring weakness.
As the game got underway, the cold, crisp air made every pitch and swing a battle. Peralta and Gallen traded zeroes early, living up to the billing of a classic pitcher’s duel. The Mets, buoyed by their recent success and the energy of the home crowd, looked to capitalize on any mistake, while the Diamondbacks hoped Carroll’s hot bat could spark a rally.
With both teams seeking to assert themselves in their respective divisions—the Mets sitting atop the NL East at 6-4 and the Diamondbacks at 5-5, second in the NL West—the stakes were high, even in early April. Every game mattered, and the margins were razor-thin.
By the late innings, the tension was palpable. Predictions had the Mets pulling ahead in the latter frames, with one outlet forecasting a 3-2 victory to extend their winning streak to four games. But with the action still unfolding at Citi Field, nothing was set in stone. Fans settled in, hoping for a dramatic finish as two playoff hopefuls battled through the cold in Queens.
As the sun set behind the New York skyline, one thing was clear: the Mets and Diamondbacks were both determined to leave their mark on the young season, no matter the obstacles. With pitching at the forefront and every run at a premium, the Citi Field faithful could be in for a memorable night of baseball.