Mets rotation plans for the NLCS: 2 choices to weigh, 1 already made for them

The New York Mets have yet to announce their rotation for the NLCS nor should we expect them to before the opponent has been figured out. The Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres concludes on Friday night and the eventual winner will host the Mets beginning on Sunday October 13 and a day later as well before games come back to Citi Field.

Keeping information against the vest is a possible scenario for the Mets as they enter the NLCS versus whoever they play. There is no need to lay out the plans exactly. As important, they should remain flexible. 

The extra days off allow the Mets pitchers to enter the series well-rested. There’ll be no excuse about not having guys available. To avoid this situation, line up the pitching the best, and come away victorious, these are some of the factors to heavily weigh.

Kodai Senga needs to start before an off-day

We’re glad to have Kodai Senga back and yet his inability to go deep into games poses a tricky situation. If he combusts early on, we’d probably see Tylor Megill replace him on the mound. Something similar to his last outing when a leadoff home run was all the Philadelphia Phillies could muster against him, it’ll be David Peterson on tap to throw a few frames.

The trouble here is the Mets will be without Peterson the day prior or after Senga throws. Tossing him out there in Game 1 feels a little more dangerous given how well-rested the rest of the starters are. Saving him for Game 2, on the other hand, works a little bit better. The Mets can avoid Peterson entirely in the opener and ask him to throw a couple of the middle innings in Game 2. By the time we get to Game 3, he’ll be an option in case of an emergency. More likely, he’ll be ready to pitch Game 4 or 5 as needed. Does Senga even get a second turn through the rotation? Plan for it to not happen and ask Senga for some relief innings in Game 6 or 7 instead.

There is only one place for Jose Quintana to pitch for the Mets

Jose Quintana has been brilliant in his two postseason starts. When is the dam going to break? Quintana’s excellent finish in the regular season should have us buying in somewhat. But if you don’t feel like trouble is around the corner, you probably missed a few of his starts this season.

The most reasonable place for him in the NLCS is to pitch in Game 4. That’ll be all we’ll see of him. It would be a replication of what happened in the NLDS with hopefully the same result. This time, however, Game 4 will only end with a sweep. Because he did throw on Wednesday, pitching Game 2 is the earliest he’d come back. It’s not going to happen. The Mets also won’t move him ahead of Manaea or Severino who are further removed from pitching. 

If they appropriately have Senga pitch one of the road games, the only place is for Quintana to get placed in the middle. Senga in Game 3 might cost Peterson for Game 4 and 5. In Game 4, it means we won’t have the crafty lefty fresh for Game 3 or 5.

Quintana has never had that durability factor or the nasty stuff some of his teammates did where when the Mets were struggling or the roster was tightening he ever felt like a good enough choice to move to the bullpen. Believe it or not, cries for Manaea and Severino moving to a relief role were a hot topic amongst fans and haters this year. 

Believe it (you don’t get the option to not), this Mets team is far better equipped in the rotation than most ball clubs.