Looking Ahead

Mets RHP Rafael Montero (1-7, 5.56 ERA) at Rockies RHP German Marquez (9-4, 4.08), 1:10 p.m. Thursday, no TV; 850 AM

Marquez, the rookie with the moving fastball and knee-buckling curve, has been the Rockies’ best pitcher over the last month. He has posted a 4-0 record with a 3.25 ERA over his last four starts. In his last outing, at Washington, he retired the first 16 batters he faced and ended up pitching seven innings, allowing two runs on three hits with no walks and a career-high 10 strikeouts. He has not allowed the Coors Field beast to devour him, going 5-2 with a 4.29 ERA in eights starts, striking out 44 and walking only 14. Montero, part of the Mets’ makeshift rotation in the wake of injuries, was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on June 14. In eight games (five starts) since getting called up, he’s put up a 4.14 ERA. Friday: Phillies RHP Vince Velasquez (2-6, 4.91 ERA) at Rockes RHP Jon Gray (3-2, 5.52), 6:40 p.m., AT&T SportsNet Saturday: Phillies RHP Nick Pivetta (4-6, 5.42) at Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (11-7, 3.71), 6:10 p.m., AT&T SportsNet Sunday: Phillies RHP Aaron Nola (8-7, 3.16) at Rockies RHP Jeff Hoffman (6-3, 5.38), 1:10 p.m