The Mets will turn to David Peterson on Friday with their season in jeopardy.
Manager Carlos Mendoza announced Peterson as the team's Game 5 starter after considering Kodai Chiga for the spot after the Mets' 10-2 loss to the Dodgers at Citi Field on Thursday.
The Mets trail in the best-of-seven series, 3 wins and 1 loss.
Peterson has been working exclusively in the bullpen this postseason, most recently pitching 2¹/₃ innings in Game 1 on Sunday.
“We are facing an elimination game and he is completely rested,” Mendoza said. “He's one of our best starters. We just feel he gives us the best chance.”
Mendoza added that Chiga could come out of the bullpen if needed.
The Japanese right-hander got off to a disastrous start in Game 1, lasting just 1/3 inning, walking four batters and allowing three earned runs.
Chiga cited mechanics as a factor in his struggles.
Peterson last started on September 29th, when he pitched a seven-inning shutout of the Mets against the Brewers.
The left-hander said he is ready to give as much effort as necessary for Friday's game.
Peterson started 21 games during the regular season and posted a 2.90 ERA.
“Being able to get the ball in a situation like this means a lot,” Peterson said. “The trust from Mendy, the team and the coaching staff is huge.”
Mendoza was asked what he remembered about his dinner with Yoshinobu Yamamoto (the Dodgers' Game 4 starter) last offseason.
“Steve Cohen's house was really impressive,” Mendoza said.
Cohen, baseball operations manager David Stearns, Mendoza and pitching coach Jeremy Hefner were among those who dined with Yamamoto at Cohen's Greenwich, Conn., home during his free agent tour of the United States. there was.
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Yamamoto ultimately accepted a 12-year contract with the Dodgers worth $325 million. The Mets offered a similar contract.
This deal was completed shortly after the Dodgers signed Shohei Ohtani.
“I was like, 'Really?'” Mendoza said, referring to Yamamoto joining Ohtani with the Dodgers. “But we knew the Yankees were in it, we knew the Dodgers were in it, and we were in it. We didn't want to get our expectations too high. We were in it and we knew the Dodgers were in it. I was in it until then.”
Harrison Bader started in center field with Tyrone Taylor on the bench.
Coach Mendoza cited the fact that Bader achieved 3 hits in 3 at bats against Yoshinobu Yamamoto on April 19th.
Bader went 0-for-2 and had two strikeouts before being sent off as a pinch hitter.
