Mets Bullpen Lights Out Behind Two Encouraging Innings From Senga

After one of the most dramatic victories in franchise history, Saturday’s Game 1 in Philadelphia began in the worst way for the New York Mets’ pitching staff. Kodai Senga, who made a surprise return after only tossing 5 1/3 innings during the regular season, grooved a fastball to lead-off hitter Kyle Schwarber. Schwarber made no mistake about it and launched the ball 425 feet over the right-field wall at Citizens Bank Park.

Luckily, for the Mets, a baseball game is nine innings long. After that home run, New York’s staff did not allow another run until the ninth inning in their 6-2 National League Division Series Game 1 victory. Kodai Senga settled in tremendously, tossing 31 pitches across two innings of work. Senga, who hadn’t pitched in a game since July 26, struck out three Phillies and allowed only the one hit; the solo shot to Schwarber.

Additionally, he induced five swings-and-missed and only allowed the one hard-hit ball. The most encouraging aspect is his velocity, for the most part, was good. He was only a miles-per-hour or so off his fastball velocity average from last season, and right on what right-handed pitchers averaged in the league this year. Overall, despite the long ball, Senga looked like he did for most of last season, which is important if the Mets are able to win enough games to give home another chance to throw.

After Senga, David Peterson came on and picked up right where he left off in the regular season. Peterson was able to go three innings, providing the Mets some much-needed length in Game 1 of the five-game series. Despite walking three, he held the Phillies scoreless, allowing only one hit. Peterson, who recorded the save in the Mets’ Game 3 victory over Milwaukee to advance to the NLDS, finished his outing by striking out the left-handed hitting Bryce Harper.

With Peterson only throwing 50 pitches, it will be interesting to see how long before manager Carlos Mendoza opts to use him again. The Phillies lineup has a lot of important left-hand hitters; Schwarber, Harper, Bryson Stott, and Brandon Marsh. With Danny Young, who struggled mightily down the stretch, the only other left-handed pitcher in the bullpen, Peterson should factor again for the Mets in this series; especially with him only being used for 50 pitches on Saturday.

Following Peterson, Reed Garrett breezed through two innings. Garrett was perfect, not allowing a hit or walk while striking out the Phillies’ cleanup hitters Nick Castellanos. Phil Maton followed Garrett, throwing only one inning, and avenging his brutal Game 2 outing against the Brewers. Despite some trouble, Maton got through the eighth inning unscathed, striking out two and stranding two more on base.

The only member of the bullpen that allowed a run on Saturday was Ryne Stanek. Stanek was forced to throw 28 pitches and allowed a run, a hit, and a walk. However, he was finally able to get Schwarber to fly out to clinch a Game 1 victory for the Mets.

Overall, the Mets’ bullpen tossed seven innings of one-run ball. In doing so, they only allowed four hits and struck out five. The unit only allowed four hard-hit balls and shut the door on a Phillies lineup that ranked in the top five in many offensive categories in the regular season. If the Mets want to continue their magical postseason run, the bullpen will need to continue to get big outs.

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