In their second consecutive playoff series, the Mets will open Game 1 with their aces.
Manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters on Saturday that the Mets' Kodai Chiga is scheduled to start and pitch about three innings in Sunday's NL CS opener against the Dodgers, and that he plans to pitch about three innings the next day before the series returns to Citi Field. Sean Manaea said he will be on the mound for Game 2.
“From the beginning, we wanted to put our players in the best positions to be successful,” Mendoza said. “Given their physical situation, some of their innings, who needs extra days and who wants to maintain their normal routine? That was the case with Chiga. We tried to keep his routine as much as possible. I wanted to get closer.”
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Chiga started only one game in the regular season, suffering from right shoulder tightness in spring training and calf strain in July, but he started Game 1 against the National League Phillies, which the Mets won. He started and allowed Kyle Schwarber to hit the leadoff home run. He then stopped Philadelphia for two frames.
He allowed just one run on one hit, walked one batter, struck out three, and threw 31 pitches, 18 of which were strikes.
“He was really good,” Mendoza said after Chiga's appearance. “The fact that I saw 97… [mph] I took it off him and all that was left was the second pitch. His splits were really good, his slider was good. ”
If the Mets were unable to shut out the NLDS series in four games, Chiga would have had the option of pitching in Game 5. If that happens, Chiga will be able to start in the opening game of the next round.
