MLB: Mets appoint Kodai Senga as starting pitcher for NLDS
What's the story
Kodai Senga, a talented pitcher for the New York Mets, has been named the starter for Game 1 of the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies. Notably, Senga last pitched on July 26, where he lasted a total of 5⅓ innings. It now remains to be seen how he would perform against the stacked lineup of the Phillies. We decode his crunch baseball stats.
2024 season
Phillies' 2024 seasons and Senga's sole game start
The Mets finished the 2024 season with a competitive record, ending this season 89-73. They finished 3rd in the NL East and won in the 2024 NL Wild Card Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, 2 games to 1. Senga made one start this season, where he delivered an impressive outing, with a 3.38 ERA and nine strikeouts from 5.1 innings pitched.
Announcement
Mets shock fans, announce injured ace Senga as starting pitcher
Senga was out the first four months with a strained right shoulder, and then the last two months with a calf injury. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza announced the team's decision and said "We'll see, we're going to let it play out,' when asked about Senga's fitness for the game. Senga also seemed to be positive and stated, "I'm ready for whatever,".
Career
Senga's MLB and Nippon Professional Baseball stats
From 2011 to mid-2012, Kodai Senga played informal games, signing with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks on April 23, 2012. He debuted on April 30, 2012, in the Pacific League. Over his career, he has won multiple Japan Series titles, achieved a triple crown, and posted a 1.94 ERA in 2022. In 2023, with the Mets, he posted a 2.98 ERA and 202 strikeouts.