Here are the likely Phillies, Mets starting pitchers for the remainder of NLDS
NEW YORK — The pitching matchups are mostly set for the remainder of the National League Division Series.
Aaron Nola and Sean Manaea will face off in Game 3 on Tuesday at Citi Field. Left-hander Jose Quintana will pitch Game 4 for New York, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza announced on Monday. Regardless of the results of Game 3, the Phillies will start Ranger Suárez in Game 4.
The Mets are leaning towards Kodai Senga in a Game 5 if necessary. Senga, who pitched in only his second game of the season in Game 1, allowed one run on a Kyle Schwarber leadoff home run. He will likely be limited again to two or three innings.
“He continues to feel good,” Mendoza said. “He’s here now. He’s doing everything that he has to do to continue to feel that way. So progressing well and in a good spot.”
The Phillies will start Zack Wheeler in a do-or-die Game 5. The Mets are likely to go with the same all hands on deck approach that worked for them in Game 1 for a potential Game 5.
One thing to watch for on the Mets side over the next two games is the availability of lefty David Peterson, who threw 50 pitches over three scoreless innings in Game 1. A starter during the regular season, Peterson is the Mets’ only true lefty option in the bullpen. The Mets’ other lefty reliever Danny Young has not appeared in the series. He allowed eight runs in three innings pitched against the Phillies in the regular season.
Peterson’s role is fluid, per Mendoza.
“We’ll see,” Mendoza said when asked about Peterson’s role. “I think we’re going day-by-day, game-by-game, how he’s bouncing back. It’s going to be his second day. We have to see how he’s feeling tomorrow and if he’s available for us out of the bullpen we’ll use him if we need to. He’s flexible, he’s fluid. So if we need to make a start and he’s fully rested up for it, we’ll use him that way.”
For the Phillies, Suárez is the biggest wild card. They liked the two innings they saw from him in the simulated game last Wednesday, but he hasn’t pitched well in games that matter since he went on the IL with a back issue during the summer.
The Phillies hope that the 12 days in between his last regular season start and Game 4 of the NLDS will serve as a reset. Suárez has a 6.49 ERA in his last six starts.
“I thought he looked great,” catcher J.T. Realmuto said when asked about Suárez’s performance in the simulated game. “His two-seam looked back, it looked like it was sharp and late. And just talking with him after his outing, I saw that confidence in him. He felt really good about how he felt and how his pitches were moving and his shapes. For me, that’s all I needed to see.”
But before Game 4, the Phillies have to take Game 3 with Aaron Nola on the mound in front of a hostile New York crowd. Nola has a 3.70 ERA in nine career playoff starts.
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