Starting Kodai Senga in Game 1 of the National League Division Series worked well for the New York Mets. So manager Carlos Mendoza is following the same approach for the NLCS versus the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Senga will start Sunday’s Game 1, Mendoza announced on Saturday. In his postseason start against the Philadelphia Phillies, the right-hander pitched two innings and allowed one run on one hit. He walked one batter with three strikeouts on 31 pitches.
Jack Flaherty will get the Game 1 nod for the Dodgers, reports The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya. He last started Game 2 of the NLDS versus the San Diego Padres and gave up four runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings.
Making only his third start of the season, Senga won’t be expected to throw many innings. But Mendoza agreed when asked if Senga could pitch three innings. He’ll probably be limited to 45-50 pitches, so …