Kodai Senga was brilliant for the Mets on Tuesday night, tossing seven shutout innings while allowing just one hit and striking out nine in a 2-0 victory at Citi Field.
For Tiki, Senga's spectacular outing was another reason why he needs to become the team's true ace, even with future Hall of Famers like Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander on the payroll.
"For the Mets to figure themselves out and get out of this .500 roller coaster, Kodai Senga has to ascend to become their ace," Tiki said. "They're paying him a good amount of money…and he has this tantalizing ability, this tantalizing group of pitches. He had all of these things that make him look like he can be a really good major league pitcher.
"When he's on like he was against the Phillies, he can be the Mets ace."
Verlander and Scherzer haven't looked like their peak selves in 2023, and age could be becoming a factor. That leaves Senga as the top candidate to lead the rotation, even if he isn't the ace by name.
"With the lack of trust we have in Verlander, Scherzer grinding through health and age, Kodai Senga has to be this team's ace if they're going to go anywhere," Tiki said. "I know he's not going to line up as the ace…but when he takes the ball, he has to do this.
"If he can do that consistently, the Mets feel like they have some of those answers they've been looking for."
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