Throughout the last week, the logical candidate among Mets starting pitchers to pitch game two of the National League Championship Series had been Noah Syndergaard.
That was until he pitched out of the bullpen on Thursday night in Los Angeles.
On Friday, Terry Collins estimated Syndergaard threw upwards of 100 pitches in the four times he was asked to warm up during game five, plus another 17 pitches in the seventh inning when he entered the game.
As such, Collins said the starter for game two is not yet determined as they wait and see how Syndergaard feels both today and tomorrow before making a decision.
If Syndergaard can’t pitch, Collins said Steven Matz would pitch game two instead.
It’s logical to expect the Mets to keep Jacob deGrom on schedule for game three and push Syndergaard back to game four in this scenario. But that means Syndergaard would only be able to pitch in one game in this series, something they clearly weren’t planning for.
On the other hand, it’s sensible to not have Syndergaard pitch if he’s not 100 percent ready on Sunday.
If they have to make this change, Matz – a Long Island native – would theoretically be in-line to pitch a potential game seven at Citi Field. But it would make perfect sense to bring deGrom back in that situation on regular rest instead.
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One response to “Terry Collins isn’t sure if Noah Syndergaard can start on Sunday”
“Matz – a Long Island native – would theoretically be in-line to pitch a potential game seven at Citi Field.” In a four-man rotation, the number 2 pitcher is in line to pitch game 6, with an extra day of rest to boot. The number 3 pitcher (deGrom) is in line for game 7.
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