Senga ‘Going 100 Percent’ in Game 1 Against Dodgers

The Mets held a press conference earlier Saturday announcing the starting pitchers for Games 1 and 2 of the National League Championship Series.

Game 2 was given to Sean Manaea, who was stellar for the Mets down the stretch and solidified himself as the ace.

But Game 1 was given to the man who was supposed to be the ace in 2024: Kodai Senga. It wasn’t shocking news, as the righty was supposed to start Game 5 if the Mets lost at home to the Phillies, but it’s a testament to the man who spent the majority of the season with two significant injuries.

First was the shoulder sprain that came early in spring training. It held him out for the first four months of the season, where the Mets dived in the standings and then began their miraculous march toward the playoffs.

Then, when he finally came back for his anticipated debut, Senga suffered a high-grade calf strain in the midst of a stellar start against Atlanta, and was slated to miss 8-10 weeks.

At the time, it was stated that Senga would certainly miss the remainder of the regular season. And potentially would be available to return in the playoffs.

But how he’s returned is remarkable. Senga treated Game 1 of the NLDS on the road in the most hostile environment in the majors as a rehab start, and now takes the ball with a longer leash against the NL pennant favorite Dodgers. It’s unheard of.

And because of the unprecedented way Senga has rehabed for the Mets in the playoffs, it’s created tension within himself. Something that Senga stated himself he had on himself, but needed to conquer due to only recording 5 1/3 innings this season.

“More so than being glad or happy there’s definitely tension inside myself compared to the other pitchers that I’ve fought throughout the entire year,” Senga said through interpreter Hiro Fujiwara. “I haven’t been able to do so I really need to be able to continue to contribute and do my job in the following games.”

Any length from Senga would be a positive for the Mets rotation heading into Dodger Stadium. The righty looked stellar in two innings against the Phillies, with his only mistake being a leadoff homer to Kyle Schwarber.

Kodai Senga, Disappearing Ghost Forks. ???????? pic.twitter.com/UkHny2AInL

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 5, 2024

But how much the Mets get from Senga will be the question. He went two innings and 31 pitches in Game 1 of the NLDS, and doesn’t have a number of pitches he expects to throw against the Dodgers Sunday.

“There’s not a number I have in mind,” Senga said. “I’m going until they take the ball away from me and I’m going 100 percent.”

The plan for Senga might mirror his start against the Phillies. Put a number on his pitch count, ride him until the number, and then call upon David Peterson from the bullpen. It worked then, and it should work now.

The Dodgers lineup is powerful, but so was the Phillies. The two of Senga and Peterson has the ability to quell any lineup in the majors currently, and something that Senga believes he can do if simply controls his pitches.

“Not exclusively the Dodgers but good hitters in general around the league, if you miss they’re gonna hit you,” Senga said about his approach to the Dodgers hitters. “So just try to control what I can control and do my best against each hitter.”

Of course, the Dodgers have the NL MVP in Shohei Ohtani, along with other former MVPs in the lineup. It won’t be easy, and there’s more to the plan than “control what I can control.” But when asked about that gameplan, Senga responded with a fun quip before his biggest start in a Mets uniform.

“I don’t think any pitcher would reveal how we’re going to approach an opposing hitter at this point.”

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