Dodgers & Mets' starting pitchers in Game 1 of NLCS revealed by MLB insider

The Los Angeles Dodgers will host the New York Mets in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series, which gets underway on Sunday evening.

As per veteran MLB insider Bob Nightengale, Kodai Senga is set to be the starting pitcher for the visiting Mets in Game 1 of the NLCS, while Jack Flaherty is going to be his counterpart for the Dodgers.

Former Nippon Professional Baseball star, Kodai Senga, joined the Mets in 2023 and enjoyed an outstanding debut campaign, winning an All-Star Game call-up and finishing as the runner-up in the NL Rookie of the Year voting. He made 29 starts and finished with a 12-7 record with a 2.98 ERA.

However, Senga suffered a shoulder issue at the start of the 2024 season before picking up a calf strain on his comeback later in the year. He was included in the postseason roster by the Mets despite being limited to just two starts during the regular season.

The Mets had deployed Kodai Senga to be their starting pitcher in Game 1 of the Division Series as well. He lasted for two innings against the Philadelphia Phillies, giving up one hit, one walk and one earned run with three strikeouts. The right-hander is not expected to pitch deep into Game 1 of the NLCS either.

Meanwhile, the Mets have also named left-hander Sean Manaea as their starting pitcher for NLCS Game 2 on Monday evening. Manaea also started Game 2 of the NLDS against the Phillies and pitched seven innings, allowing just three hits, two walks, and one earned run with six strikeouts.

The Mets won both the games that Senga and Manea started in the previous round and will hope to continue that streak into the NLCS as well.

Jack Flaherty to start for the Dodgers in NLCS Game 1

For the Los Angeles Dodgers, Jack Flaherty will start on the mound in front of the home fans in Game 1 of the NLCS. The 28-year-old right-hander is enjoying the best season of his eight-year MLB career, which he initially began in a Detroit Tigers uniform.

The Dodgers acquired Jack Flaherty from the Tigers at the trade deadline after a stellar first half to the campaign. He made 28 starts for the two teams in total and finished the regular season with a 13-7 record with a 3.17 ERA and 194 strikeouts.

Flaherty started Game 2 of the NLDS against the San Diego Padres, although he did not have a particularly good outing. He lasted for 5.1 innings but gave up four earned runs on two walks and five hits, including two home runs.