Kodai Senga to start NLDS Game 1 for Mets vs. Phillies
New York Mets' Kodai Senga prepares to pitch during the first inning against Atlanta in July. Credit: AP/Pamela Smith
Kodai Senga will start Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Saturday afternoon as the Mets face the Phillies.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza also said Friday that Luis Severino will start Game 2.
It’s turning into a weird finish of a weird year for Senga, who entered spring training as the Mets’ top starting pitcher following a sparkling first season stateside in 2023.
But then a right shoulder strain kept him out until late July — with setbacks including triceps/nerve trouble, plus an episode in which Senga paused his own progress because he felt uncomfortable with his mechanics.
When he did make it back, he lasted only 5 1/3 innings before straining his left calf. He healed from that well, so much so that the Mets expected him back — for, say, two or three innings — during a game on a recent road trip. Their intention was to keep using him every five or six days, building up his workload over the course of a theoretical deep playoff run.
When asked what he expects Senga to give the Mets on Saturday, Mendoza said, "We'll see."
"We’re going to let it play out. He’s been in Florida throwing, facing hitters,” Mendoza said. We have a plan but we’re going to go out there, watch him closely and go from there.”
Mendoza added that Senga feels "great" about making his return.
“He’s excited, said right away when we talked to him that he was ready to go.”
Tim Healey is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. Born on Long Island and raised in Connecticut, Tim has previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Boston Globe and MLB.com. He is also the author of “Hometown Hardball,” a book about minor league baseball in the northeast.
