Wednesday, September 27, 2023 • 7:35 PM
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
RHP Johnny Cueto (1-4, 6.19) vs. RHP Kodai Senga (12-7, 2.96)
SNY

After the Mets clobbered the Marlins in Game 1 of the Doubleheader 11-2, they return for the nightcap with Kodai Senga on the mound.  This will be the last time this year we get to see Kodai Senga pitch as he makes the case to be the Rookie of the year. Kodai was always good this season, but about midway through the season, towards the end of June, things started to click and his performance jumped to the next level.

Kodai Senga. Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Mets Lineup

Kodai Senga makes his last start in his amazing rookie year today for the New York Mets. Over 28 starts,  he has thrown 161 1/3 innings with a 2.96 ERA, 3.53 FIP, 1.221 WHIP and a 143 ERA+. In his last 14 starts since June 28th he has thrown 84 2/3 innings, striking out 101 batters with a 2.44 ERA, 3.00 FIP. Since August 19th, he has pitched in six games throwing 38 2/4 innings while striking out 45 batters with a 1.86 ERA. This includes his last start against the Marlins where he held them to two runs from seven hits over six innings of work. He has truly been one of the bright spots of this season. The Marlins have the following career numbers against him:

Marlins Lineup

Johnny Cueto makes the start in the nightcap for the Marlins. Cueto has pitched in 12 games, making nine starts this year tossing 48 innings with a 6.19 ERA, 6.92 FIP, 1.271 WHIP and a 73 ERA+. Since rejoining the team in September, he has pitched 15 2/3 innings over three starts and two relief outings with a 7.47 ERA (8.24 FIP). This includes two innings against the Mets back on the 20th where he allowed two runs over two innings from three hits (both runs coming on homers). The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

Game Notes

The Game 1 loss was a bad one for the Marlins, who remain on the outside looking in the playoff picture. However, it was a great one for the Mets. In addition to a fantastic outing from Joey Lucchesi, the Mets racked up twelve hits and saw two-run home runs by Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor, and Mark Vientos.

After his home run in the opener, Pete Alonso still has an outside of reaching the 50-home run plateau for the second time in his career. The Polar Bear needs four more dingers in his final five games to reach 50.

The San Diego Padres may put one of the game’s best hitters on the trade market this offseason in Juan Soto, and the Mets are reportedly a “scary possibility” to acquire him. Could Juan Soto and Shohei Ohtani make their way to Queens next season? Almost assuredly not but if any owner can do it, it’s Steve Cohen, and the Mets recently fully replenished their farm system.

Three Things To Watch For

  1. 200 Strikeouts. Kodai Senga sits at 194 strikeouts for the season, so close to 200. He only needs six more to reach the magic to reach the magic number.  The pressure will be on though, as it will be his last start of the season, and last time out against the Marlins, he only struck out two batters.
  2. A sub-3.00 ERA. Senga has been so effective his last few starts that his ERA has dipped below the 3.00 mark. A slightly better than quality start today should lock that number in for the season. His outstanding overall ERA is mostly due to his phenomonal 1.86 ERA in starts since August 19th.
  3. That ghostfork for one more game in 2023. When the Mets signed Senga in the off-season, videos of Senga’s ghostfork went viral online. We’ve seen Senga mix his ghostfork and fastball to get some absolutely silly swings from batters. We cannot wait to see his signature pitch tonight, one last time this season.

Let’s go Mets!