In a critical playoff matchup, the New York Mets have decided to go with David Peterson as the starter for Game 5, while Kodai Senga will be available to come off the bench. This marks the first time in Senga’s Major League career that he could enter the game from this position.
Decision to Choose Peterson
Manager Carlos Mendoza made this call after opting not to use Peterson in previous games. “In a playoff game, he’s been fully rested,” Mendoza stated about Peterson. “He’s one of our key players. We feel he gives us the best chance.” Although Peterson hasn’t pitched a full game since September, the Mets have enough healthy reserves to bring in Senga if the score margin widens.
Senga Ready for Opportunity
Senga, who struggled in Game 1 of the NLCS, may be a potential option off the bench. The management is confident that Senga can deliver a better performance than before. “He’s an excellent pitcher,” Mendoza affirmed. “We’ve seen him pitch exceptionally well against the Braves in July, and he had a solid outing against the Phillies.”
Recent Form of Senga
Senga had a bullpen session on Wednesday and showed significant improvement, according to a team member’s assessment. If called upon, Senga could pitch a maximum of four innings and around 60 pitches. Despite battling injuries throughout the season, Senga remains one of the Mets’ best pitchers, boasting an ERA of 2.98 over 29 appearances last year.
Looking Ahead
While the bullpen session provided some insights, the Mets have limited data to evaluate Senga, having missed much of the season due to shoulder, core, and calf injuries. The management began considering Senga as a playoff option only in early October. Senga’s readiness, along with Peterson’s performance, will be crucial in determining the Mets’ chances in this pivotal game.
