Mets Set Playoff Rotation

The Mets have set their playoff rotation, at least through the first three games. Game four is still up in the air.

As expected, Jacob deGrom will start game one in sunny Los Angeles on Friday. Noah Syndergaard goes Saturday and Matt Harvey throws Monday when the series switches to Citi Field.

Steven Matz would be the Game 4 starter if he can get through throwing programs this week, including a 90-pitch session Thursday, according to Mets Blog. If not, deGrom could possibly come back on three days rest.

Or not.

“The nice thing we have in place is we do have (Jonathon) Niese and we do have (Bartolo) Colon to back up if something goes wrong, guys who have obviously taken a turn in the rotation all year,” said Mets special assistant J.P. Ricciardi.

Syndergaard getting the second game in Los Angeles is a bit of a surprise, considering how well he has done at home this season. He is 7-2 with a 2.46 ERA at Citi Field as opposed to 2-5 and 4.23 on the road. But he has picked things up, going 14.2 innings in his last two road starts, allowing three runs on just seven hits, with 19 strikeouts and one walk.

“I think that crossed our minds but I think (Syndergaard) pitched so well on the road his last few outings that it really didn’t factor as much as maybe it might have a month earlier,” Ricciardi said. “And we’re able to bring both of those guys back twice.”

Which means Harvey will still be somewhat limited in the post-season. The Mets obviously decided he cannot pitch twice in a short series. That could now fall to Syndergaard; a lot of pressure to put on a rookie.

The Mets have to go up against two of the best pitchers in the game — Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke. While that is intimidating, the Mets have some pretty good young arms out there, too. It should be a great series.