Kodai Senga to Start Game 1 of NLDS for New York Mets

Less than 24 hours after their improbable victory over the Milwaukee Brewers, the New York Mets announced that ace Kodai Senga will start Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday.

The magic just keeps on coming for the New York Mets. Less than 24 hours after one of the most improbable victories in team history, they are getting a huge boost to kick off the next round.

New York announced on Friday that their ace in Kodai Senga, who has made just one start this season, will be on the bump in Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Monday.

Kodai Senga to Start Game 1 of NLDS for New York Mets

After pitching to a 2.98 ERA in 2023, Senga began the season on the injured list, thanks to posterior shoulder capsule strain in his throwing shoulder, which kept him out the entire first half.

The 31-year-old returned on July 26, but in the sixth inning of that contest, he suffered a calf strain. At the time, though, manager Carlos Mendoza made sure not to rule out Senga for the postseason.

Kodai Senga to Start Game 1 of NLDS for New York Mets

"If we get to see him pitch, that means we're in a good position, right?" Mendoza said.

Well, they sure are, after pulling out a miraculous win on Thursday night.

Trailing 2-0 in the top of the ninth and two outs from elimination, Pete Alonso laced a pitch to opposite field that crept over the right field wall to give New York a 3-2 lead, causing pandemonium in the dugout and on the basepaths. They got another insurance run and held on to a 4-2 win to advance past the wild card series against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Alonso's blast was the first in MLB history by a player when his team was trailing in the 9th inning or later of a winner-take-all postseason game, according to OPTA Stats.

The miraculous victory was déjà vu for the Mets. It came just three days after they fought back from down 3-0 in the eighth and 7-6 in the ninth against the Atlanta Braves to clinch a postseason spot in their first game of a doubleheader.

Senga will be opposite former Met Zack Wheeler at 4:08 p.m. in Philadelphia on Saturday. The Phillies and Mets split their six regular season meetings in 2023, with each team going 3-3.

Senga is a two-time Nippon Professional Baseball All-Star who signed with the Mets prior to the 2023 season. He has a career 3.03 ERA in NPB.

The Mets are confident that Senga can be a key contributor to their success in the postseason. He has the experience and the talent to pitch in big games.

"He's a guy that we've been waiting to see all year," Mendoza said. "He's a guy that we think can be a difference-maker for us."

The Mets are hoping that Senga can continue his strong pitching and help them advance to the National League Championship Series for the first time since 2015.