What should Mets do with Kodai Senga for rest of NLCS?

Kodai Senga’s second outing of the postseason backfired spectacularly for the New York Mets, which seems fitting considering the stage was set in Los Angeles.

It was only his third game of the year after 5.1 innings in the regular season, marred by shoulder and calf injuries and a two-inning outing in Game 1 of the NLDS. Senga was designated for three runs while walking in four runs and allowing two hits in 1.1 innings of work in Sunday night’s 9-0 loss in Game 1 of the NLCS to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Although he was expected to be given a three-inning limit considering he has yet to reach the full workload of a starter, the 31-year-old only lasted 1.1 innings, in which 20 of his 30 were pitched thrown throws required balls.

“I am frustrated and disappointed,” Senga said through his interpreter. “But I have to continue to make adjustments and the team has [Game 2 on Monday]so we just have to keep winning games.”

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said it was unclear whether Senga would get the ball again in his next scheduled start, Friday’s Game 5 at Citi Field.

“I think it will depend on how he gets back on his feet,” Mendoza said.

David Peterson, a standout out of the bullpen for most of this postseason, threw 40 pitches in relief in Game 1, allowing two runs on four hits in 2.1 innings of work. After a career year in which he went 10-3 with a 2.90 ERA as a starter, he remains an obvious candidate to take the ball from Senga in Game 5.

“I don’t know when I’ll pitch next,” Senga said. “But my job is to adapt and focus on what I need to do to make the next outing better.”

But as the stakes continue to rise, the Mets can’t afford another start like Sunday night’s – especially against a Dodgers team that set an MLB record by pitching their 33rd consecutive scoreless inning in the finale after Game 1.

Ultimately it comes down to trust. Mendoza could see Sunday night’s start as an anomaly, and Senga could take a step forward in Game 5. He looked good in his two innings in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies after giving up a leadoff solo home run to Kyle Schwarber.