Mets rotation plans need to change after what Kodai Senga showed in Game 1 fiasco

It’s one game, right? This isn’t the NFL. The MLB playoffs require multiple wins to advance. The New York Mets might have been roundhouse kicked by the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 in every way possible. But it’s not the end of their run.

There is trouble brewing, though. Kodai Senga had a terrible NLCS debut. In his 1.1 innings, he walked 4, gave up 2 hits, and was charged with 3 runs. It was a much different result than just over a week ago when a Kyle Schwarber home run was the lone hiccup in his abbreviated outing.

This time, it wasn’t the bats of the opponent doing the damage as much as it was Senga’s inability to find the strike zone. Listed as the early probable starter for the “if necessary” Game 5 on Friday, the Mets need to rethink their rotation plans.

The Mets can’t trust Kodai Senga and should consider alternatives

David Peterson was brilliant out of the bullpen all postseason until this game. He got roughed around, too. Lasting 2.1 innings and getting charged with 2 runs plus an unearned one, Peterson was at least able to throw strikes and more efficiently got through his outing.

Peterson would have been the easy choice to replace Senga in the rotation. Following the relief appearance, we can question it somewhat. As Anthony DiComo pointed out, his lengthy appearance may have simply been to get the Mets through as many innings as possible since he’ll be the top choice by the time we get to Game 5.

Where else can the Mets turn? Jose Butto hasn’t been amazing in the playoffs either. It’s easy to forget he is even there because of how poorly he has looked. Another 2 earned runs plus another unearned went on his stat sheet in this miserable 9-0 loss. Asking him to be an opener in Game 5 isn’t so palatable either.

Tylor Megill? Unused in Game 1, it would be pretty bold to see if he can replicate his earlier dominance against the Dodgers in the regular season during the NLCS.

Game 5 is shaping up to be a cross your fingers situation where the best-case scenario is another trial for Senga to get right with the Mets up 3-1. It’s already a strange situation with Senga being so limited with his pitch count. It forces the Mets to have Peterson available behind him for multiple innings.

Senga starting Game 1 was poorly planned with the fact that he’d need to go on shorter rest than he prefers for Game 5. It hasn’t guaranteed the results of the series. And considering the Mets offense didn’t do a thing, it’s practically moot. They were going to lose Game 1 regardless of who started because of the lack of hitting. The important thing is for them to take it to heart, lift themselves up, and maybe call each other out before this one slips away.