The Mets will commence the National League Division Series against the Phillies by starting Kodai Senga in Game 1.

PHILADELPHIA -- Right-handed pitcher Kodai Senga of the New York Mets is set to take the mound for Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies, following a two-month absence due to a calf injury. At 31 years of age, Senga was the standout pitcher for the Mets last season. His last appearance on the field was on July 29, when he exited his only game of the season after 5⅓ innings due to a calf strain. Prior to this, shoulder and triceps injuries had kept him out for the first four months of the season. When questioned about the potential length of his outing, both Senga and Mets manager Carlos Mendoza were noncommittal. Senga indicated that the decision would rest with Mendoza and pitching coach Jeremy Hefner. "I am prepared for anything," Senga remarked. "If they say 10 pitches, I am ready for 10 pitches. If they say 200, I am prepared for 200."

Senga's return is a significant boost for the Mets following a playoff run that strained their pitching resources. New York participated in a doubleheader on Monday, securing a playoff berth in the first match, and subsequently faced games over the next three days in Milwaukee. The final game concluded with a thrilling 4-2 comeback victory, highlighted by Pete Alonso's three-run home run in the ninth inning, marking a remarkable turnaround for a team that stood at 24-35 in early June. Senga had aimed to make his return towards the end of the regular season but was sidelined due to triceps tightness, which cut short his minor league rehabilitation start on September 22. He continued his training at the Mets' facility in Florida and was informed on Wednesday that if the Mets triumphed over the Brewers and he was fit, he would be slated to start Game 1. "We have been through this entire year with him," Mendoza remarked. "Whenever he has taken the mound or thrown extensive bullpens while not feeling well, he has always communicated that to us. However, in this instance, it was different; he approached us to inquire about our plans in the event that we reached the division series or potentially the NLCS."

Senga has prepared himself for pitching through live batting practice sessions, with Mendoza noting during the most recent session, "He threw a lot." In his inaugural season with the Mets, Senga distinguished himself as one of the premier pitchers in baseball, achieving a 2.99 ERA across 166⅓ innings and recording 202 strikeouts. His renowned "ghost fork," an effective split-fingered fastball, ranked among the most effective swing-and-miss pitches in the league last season. The New York team is relying on Senga to replicate that performance, especially as he is set to face former Mets and Phillies ace Zack Wheeler, a postseason performer, in Game 1, which adds to the challenge of transitioning from live batting practice to competing in front of over 40,000 fans at Citizens Bank Park.

Senga has prepared himself for pitching through live batting practice sessions, with Mendoza noting in the most recent session, "He threw a lot." Mets starter David Peterson, who secured the save in the wild-card-clinching victory and may support Senga in Game 1, remarked, "You can refine your skills in the bullpen, getting everything fine-tuned. However, we have been engaged in numerous high-pressure games for an extended period, so returning to that environment and adjusting to game speed will present a challenge. Nevertheless, I have complete confidence in the effort he has invested and his readiness for the task ahead." Senga indicated that prior to his return to starting, he needed to "elevate my physical and mental state," and that his prior discussions with the team facilitated his comeback. "If I believed it would be difficult, I wouldn't be prepared," Senga stated. "Thus, I am ready for [Game 1]. The extent to which I can manage my body and influence the game's flow will be crucial."