All pitchers, especially starting pitchers, rely on routine.
Four days of rest is normal, and if you add or subtract one rest day, you will need to adjust your habits between outings.
That makes David Peterson's postseason even more impressive.
The Mets left-hander started 21 games this season and was generally good with a 2.90 ERA before taking on a new role as a big-playing arm who can be used in any big scenario.
Peterson, who was a starter in the playoffs with Sean Manaea, Luis Severino, Jose Quintana, and the rising Kodai Senga, instead recorded his first career save and led the National League in first place. He pitched three great innings in the game, shutting out the Phillies in a potential game. The moment of the swing in the deciding game of Game 4.
“I understand why it would be a big deal, but it's not for him,” pitching coach Jeremy Hefner said on the field as the Mets celebrated their championship game Wednesday at Citi Field. Ta. “He's treating it the same way he always does. He's ready, he has a plan, he knows what he's going to do, but then it's just an execution game. ”
Peterson has been executing without complaint, finding another way to make an impression in each game he plays.
First, Peterson came out of the bullpen after three days of rest in place of an exhausted Edwin Diaz in the game against the Brewers, and needed just eight pitches to record the final three outs.
Two days later, Peterson watched Chiga pitch two solid innings in Philadelphia and pitched a third.
The 29-year-old pitched three scoreless innings (one hit, three walks), made all the big throws he needed, and the Mets staff rallied to get the win.
Peterson's latest challenge came Wednesday, when he entered a game mid-inning for the first time this season.
Inheriting a two-on jam from Quintana and Reid Garrett in the sixth inning, Peterson needed just three pitches to get Bryson Stott to ground out and escape.
“In the playoffs, it's a challenge whether it's men on, no outs, starting, whatever it is,” Peterson said after pitching 2¹/₃ scoreless innings in the win over the Phillies. “We are fighting to continue the season.”
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The Mets' season has continued largely because their bullpen, which lacks a reliable left-hander (Danny Young hasn't pitched an inning in October), has found a pitcher who can get big outs and a ton of outs. Peterson has totaled 6¹/₃ shutout innings in this year's playoffs, a weapon coach Carlos Mendoza hopes to use in the mid-to-late innings.
As the Mets continue to add Chiga, who should be ready for three innings in the next game, Peterson is the best bet to piggyback on Chiga's efforts.
The matchup was ideal in Philadelphia, with each pitcher complementing the other well.
That dynamic wouldn't work if Peterson's mind and body couldn't adapt as well to a different role on the fly as he did.
In a checkered career that included a great 2022, a tough 2023, and hip surgery before his big break in 2024, Peterson is not only a solid option, but also a flexible one. It has established itself as a viable option.
“I'm really happy for him because his career hasn't been pretty,” Hefner said. “And now, to be able to experience moments like this in a series is really amazing.”
