Mets name Kodai Senga as NLDS Game 1 starter against Phillies

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kodai Senga, who has pitched just 5 1/3 innings in the major leagues all year, is the surprise starter in Game 1 for the New York Mets when they open the division series NL Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Senga joined the Mets ahead of the 2023 season on a five-year, $75 million contract and became an All-Star in his first season. He went 12-7 with a 2.98 ERA in 29 starts and finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting.

The 31-year-old Japanese pitcher has made just one start this season while dealing with injuries, including a strained right triceps. Senga, the team’s projected No. 1 starter this year, was also sidelined with a left calf strain.

“I think if I thought it was difficult, I wouldn’t be ready,” Senga said Friday through an interpreter. “Then I’m ready for tomorrow.” And even if I can control my body and control how tomorrow’s match goes, it will be important.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said before Game 1 practice at Citizens Bank Park that Senga was “ready to go” but declined to say how many pitches his starter might throw.

“We always had hope,” Mendoza said. “But it’s been all year round. What made us comfortable with that decision was that he was the one who wanted baseball.

Pete Alonso used a dose of pumpkin power to hit a three-run homer off closer Devin Williams in the ninth inning on Thursday to put the Mets up for good in a 4-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 decisive of their Wild Card. Series.

“The rehab process has had its ups and downs, but recently it has definitely been heading in the right direction, and to get me to this point, everything has definitely gone well,” Senga said.

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