Kodai Senga’s start in Game 1 of the NLCS did not go to plan on Sunday night in Los Angeles.
The Mets’ right-hander’s night came to an early end after just 1.1 innings and three runs allowed against the Dodgers, casting doubt if he would pitch again this postseason.
In a 23-pitch first Senga struggled with his command, walking the bases loaded throwing 12 balls on 14 pitches after retiring Shohei Ohtani to open the bottom of the first. He recovered to get Will Smith to fly out to center, but after falling behind Max Muncy 2-1, Senga's 92 mph cutter was rocketed to center to plate a pair of runs.
Senga came out for the second, but the troubles followed him there as he walked Gavin Lux on five pitches and, after a sacrifice bunt, Ohtani delivered an RBI single past a diving Pete Alonso.
With that, manager Carlos Mendoza summoned Reed Garrett from the bullpen.
"He definitely didn't have it today," Mendoza said during an in-game interview on the Fox broadcast. "With the way the ball was coming out of his hands, we didn't see that extra zip on the fastball, and then some of the pitches, with the split, they were balls out of the hand and it was an easy take for them. He just didn't have it today."
Senga threw 16 cutters and his 90.5 mph average velocity was 1.8 mph below his season average. His 93.5 mph average on his seven four-seam fastballs was 2.3 mph below his season average (and 2.2 mph below his average during the 2023 season).
After the game, Mendoza told reporters that Senga "said he continues to feel good" physically.
"There was no issues, just a little frustrated I guess because of the outing," the manager said. "But as far as the way he was feeling and all that, he said he was good."
Garrett escaped without any damage – needing just six pitches with Francisco Alvarez nailing Ohtani at second for a caught stealing – to close Senga's book: 1.1 innings, three runs, two hits, four walks on 30 pitches (10 strikes) with the Mets down 3-0, in the eventual 9-0 loss.
Senga said after the game "a lot of factors" went into his lack of command, but pointed specifically to an issue with his mechanics. An issue that also caused his velocity to dip.
"Yes, I do think that is a big factor," he said, speaking through an interpreter. "But now I just need to reflect back on what happened today and make adjustments so I can have a better outing next time."
Asked if he could fix those issues with his mechanics in time before he could potentially pitch in Game 5 on Friday, Senga said he didn't know when he will be pitching next, but his job "is to adjust and focus on what I need to do to make the next outing better."
The manager left open the possibility of the right-hander starting again this series, but was far from definitive.
"We've got to wait and see how he responds the next couple of days, the same way that we've been treating it every time he gets on the mound," Mendoza said. "Day by day, and then we'll see how we get to Game 5 or whatever the case might be. But I think it's going to come down to how he's going to bounce back."
The quick hook is not entirely surprising after the ace lasted just two innings against the Phillies in Game 1 of the NLDS, allowing one run on a solo homer while getting three strikeouts and a walk, just his second big league appearance in the injury-plagued season.
“I think the game will tell us what to do,” Mendoza said before Sunday’s series opener about whether David Peterson would piggyback off Senga as he did in the previous series. “We'll go out there, wait, see what happens, let the game unfold and play out. And we'll be able to make adjustments and make the decision for who's coming in after that.
“The good thing is everyone is rested. Everyone is ready to go. Like I said, the game will tell us, and we'll make the call.”
