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.

The Mets need Sean Manaea available for a close out situation

The Mets position themselves much better with Sean Manaea starting one of the first two games of the series. He could conceivably be back on regular rest to throw in Game 5 if he starts Game 1. The best plan would be for him to start a deciding Game 6 or 7 if the series returns to Southern California.

Manaea would be on regular rest if he pitches Game 1, which’ll bump Luis Severino back with more than a week off from pitching. In the MLB playoffs, it’s a tug-of-war between extra rest and pitchers getting thrown out of their routine. The Mets had no choice in the first two rounds with their rotation because of the lack of off-days prior to the playoffs beginning. Now, they have a chance to set themselves up for mistake or failure. 

The decision between Manaea and Severino could have something to do with handedness. The Dodgers had the fourth-best batting average against southpaws in the regular season. The Padres were 19th. Perhaps if it’s the Padres the Mets face, we see Manaea saved for Game 3 and maybe he’s back for a do or die Game 7 on short rest. Can your heart take that drama?