Mets Playoff Notes: Kodai Senga 'in a good spot'; David Peterson's role is fluid

Here are key Mets updates as the team continues the NLDS against the Phillies at Citi Field...

Kodai Senga trending toward a potential Game 5 start

If the Mets and Phillies split the next two games, necessitating a winner-take-all Game 5 in Philadelphia on Friday, it's looking like Senga will get the start.

After starting and pitching two innings in Game 1, in what was Senga's first big league action since July 26, manager Carlos Mendoza said the team had to wait and see how he felt before determining the right-hander's availability for the rest of the series.

Speaking on Monday as the team worked out at Citi Field, Mendoza said Senga feels good.

"He continues to feel good," Mendoza said. "He's here now, he's doing everything he has to do to continue to feel that way. So progressing well -- in a good spot."

Asked if Senga is in line to be the Game 5 starter, Mendoza said "it's trending in that direction" as of right now.

Because Senga is not fully stretched out, he could possibly be limited to three innings or so if he starts a potential Game 5.

That would mean a lot of innings from the bullpen, but all hands would be on deck in a win-or-go-home scenario. In the event the series goes to five games and Senga starts, it's fair to believe nearly every pitcher (reliever and starter) would be available.

David Peterson's role is 'fluid'

After closing the Mets' Game 3 win over the Brewers in the Wild Card Series and throwing three shutout innings in relief of Senga in Game 1 of the NLDS, Peterson's role remains "fluid," Mendoza noted.

Mendoza explained that the Mets will continue to go game by game when it comes to how Peterson is used, and that he won't hesitate to use the lefty in relief in Game 5 if he's needed.

Since Peterson needed just one day of rest between his one inning of work as he closed Game 3 of the Wild Card Series and his three-inning relief outing in Game 1 of the NLDS, it's fair to believe he could pitch in relief in Game 4 and also be used if the series reaches Game 5 -- since there is a travel day in between.

Peterson last started on Sept. 29, when he fired seven innings of one-hit, shutout ball against the Brewers in Milwaukee the day before the Mets' season-ending and playoff-clinching doubleheader in Atlanta against the Braves.

Jose Quintana to start Game 4

Quintana will get the ball for Game 4 at Citi Field, which was widely expected before Monday but is now confirmed.

With Senga having pitched Game 1, followed by Luis Severino in Game 2, Sean Manaea will start Game 3 before the Mets hand the ball to Quintana in Game 4.

Quintana was masterful against the Brewers in Game 3 of the Wild Card Series, tossing six shutout innings while allowing four hits, walking one, and striking out five.

He was dominant the last time he faced the Phillies, firing seven scoreless frames while allowing three hits, walking none, and striking out four on Sept. 13 in Philadelphia.