With Halloween at the end of the month, it is a perfect time for a ghost sighting.
Right-handed pitcher Kodai Senga and his ghost forkball will start Game of One of the National League Division Series (NDLS) between the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies Saturday at Citizens Bank Park, today Mets manager Carlos Mendoza announced at press conference.
Mendoza did not go into their exact plan for how many pitches Senga will throw, but he did say that it is something they will closely monitor as the game progresses.
“We’ll see. We’re going to let it play out,” Mendoza said. “He’s been in Florida, throwing, facing hitters. We have a plan. But we’re going to go out there, watch him closely, and go from there. But he’s ready to go, and that’s why we’re going with him in Game One.”
Initially suffering a shoulder injury in spring training that kept him out to July, Senga last pitched in an MLB tilt ten weeks ago, giving up to two runs over 5 1/3 innings against the Atlanta Braves before badly straining his left calf.
It was not the Mets that asked him to toe the rubber, but he had called the team, asking if there was a chance for him to see action if they advanced to the next round.
Senga had tossed a 25-pitch live batting practice session earlier this week with no pain or other adverse outcomes, sparking interest on New York’s part.
“We always had hopes, but it’s been the whole year,” Mendoza said. “What made us feel comfortable with this decision was that he was the one wanting the baseball.”
When asked how many pitches he feels comfortable throwing Saturday, Senga said through an interrupter that, “I’m ready for whatever. If they say 10 pitches, I’m all in for 10 pitches. If they say 200, I’m in for 200,” igniting laughter from the media.
But it won’t be a laughing matter, as Senga will look to make the Phillies disappear Saturday.
— Jerry Del Priore
NY NJ Sports World/Brooklyn Sports World 