Kodai Senga didn’t have it from the start on Sunday night, walking four and allowing four runs in just 1.1 innings of work in an eventual 9-0 loss that saw New York need to use three relievers in bulk to make up for Senga’s rough start.
It was only Senga’s third start of the year, and Brandon Tierney says it should be his last.
“I wouldn’t let Kodai Senga pitch again the rest of the playoffs,” BT said. “Unless he’s amenable to a bit of a role change and coming out of the bullpen...but he was awful.
“[Carlos] Rodon melted down in the fourth inning [for the Yankees in the ALDS], but he came out with great stuff. Last night, Kodai Senga, his fastball was five mph down...and he threw 30 pitches, 10 for strikes.”
Senga simply didn’t have it, lost the strike zone, and the Dodgers lineup made him pay. BT says it would be too risky throwing him again in this series, especially with it likely being in a crucial game five.
“I’m not messing with Senga,” BT said. “However long the Mets go, that’s it. You got your shot, and you were awful. The Mets did make a mistake. It’s not a fatal one, but it does feel ominous. Last night was an ugly one.”
Sal Licata agrees that Senga in game one was a mistake by Carlos Mendoza, who typically has pushed all the right buttons in his first year as manager.
“David Stearns and Carlos Mendoza made a big mistake,” Sal said. “You get Butto in that game, Peterson, Garrett...also, you have Senga to pitch game five, which is now in question.”