Kodai Senga’s Rollercoaster Season
Kodai Senga’s season has been a rollercoaster ride, starting with a shoulder injury during Spring Training that kept him sidelined until July. After a single game appearance in over ten weeks, Senga is set to take the mound once again. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza announced that Senga will start Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park this Saturday, marking his second appearance of the year.
Confidence in Senga’s Readiness
Mendoza expressed confidence in Senga’s readiness, stating, “What gives us confidence is that Senga himself wanted the ball.” Senga proactively approached management ahead of the Wild Card Series, eager to understand his postseason role. Despite earlier uncertainty about his status, he assured the team he felt healthy after a successful 25-pitch bullpen session.
Cautious Approach with Limited Pitch Count
The Mets are taking a cautious approach with Senga, planning to limit his pitch count. While Mendoza didn’t specify exact limits, he indicated that Senga is not fully stretched for a long outing and is likely not to exceed two innings.
Trust in Senga Against a Strong Offense
Despite his long absence, the Mets trust Senga against a top offense like the Phillies, owing to his prior success against them. Last season, he posted a 12-7 record with a 2.98 ERA, having limited the Phillies to just two runs in their two previous matchups. Although this will be Senga’s first postseason game in MLB, he brings considerable playoff experience from his years in Japan.
Preparedness for Any Situation
As the Mets prepare for this critical matchup, they have backup plans in place to support Senga, ensuring they are ready for any situation that may arise during the game.
