Kodai Senga to Start for Mets vs. Phillies in Game 1 of 2024 MLB Playoff Series

The New York Mets will start Kodai Senga in Game 1 of the team's matchup with the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Division Series, according to NBC Sports' Corey Seidman.

Senga hasn't pitched since July 26, his only start of the season. His debut was delayed due to a shoulder injury before he was placed on the injured list after suffering a calf strain in his lone 2024 appearance.

Luis Severino will start for the Mets in Game 2, per USA Today's Bob Nightengale.

For the Phillies, two-time All-Star Zack Wheeler will take the mound to open up the series (via Matt Gelb of The Athletic). Cristopher Sánchez is set to start Game 2, and Aaron Nola will be Philadelphia's starter on the road in Game 3.

Senga is expected to be limited in the first postseason appearance of his career. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza previously said that he'd be limited to 35 to 40 pitches as a starter, per ESPN's Jorge Castillo.

"What made us feel comfortable with this decision was that he was the one wanting the baseball," Mendoza told reporters on Friday. "I think the only time we've had that situation was when he faced the Braves, the only outing he had this year before he went down again."

Senga was initially targeting a regular-season return from the calf issue, although he experienced triceps tightness during a rehab start on Sept. 21 that delayed his recovery (h/t SNY's Danny Abriano).

He threw 25 pitches during a live bullpen session on Monday.

The 31-year-old was impressive as a rookie in 2023, finishing with a 12-7 record to go along with a 2.98 ERA in 29 starts. He also racked up 202 strikeouts in 166.1 innings of work.

After winning their first playoff series since 2015 in dramatic fashion on Thursday night, the Mets will be getting some more reinforcements as they prepare to face a division rival with a spot in the NLCS on the line.

Game 1 is on Saturday at 4:08 p.m. ET.