Kodai Senga opened Friday with the perfect ERA within the Nationwide League and his 1.16 mark by way of seven begins is bettered solely by the Yankees’ Max Fried’s 1.05.
However Senga isn’t enthusiastic about wanting an excessive amount of into his success by way of seven begins, partially as a result of he doesn’t really feel he deserves it.
“I look at all the numbers,” Senga stated by way of an interpreter previous to the Mets’ 7-2 victory within the sequence opener in opposition to the Cubs on Friday at Citi Subject. “There’s not a single number or stat I take for granted. They’re all important. But right now, my results and stats are not really reflective of what I feel I’m putting out there on the mound.”
As a substitute, Senga stated he’s the recipient of excellent fortune.
“I feel like I’m getting lucky on a lot of plays,” Senga stated. “I think throughout the season, if I can fill in the gap with my performance as much as possible, I can be closer to my true form.”
As an example, Senga issued a season-high 5 walks in opposition to the Diamondbacks on Wednesday.
Nonetheless, he managed to carry the Diamondbacks scoreless over his six innings within the win.
Senga hasn’t allowed greater than two earned runs in any of his outings this season, however has additionally recorded an out after the sixth inning simply as soon as this yr.
No matter Senga’s disappointments could also be, the Mets will take the outcomes as he leads a rotation that tops the majors in ERA (2.71 heading into Friday) and has exceeded all expectations.
Though he’s hanging out fewer batters and strolling greater than his rookie season two years in the past, he’s additionally not permitting as many homers.
He’s additionally throwing his lethal forkball barely greater than two years in the past and dominating opposing hitters much more with it.
Senga’s four-seamer has been hit more durable than it was in 2023, however he’s additionally doing effectively along with his newfound sinker.
However as Senga discovered final season, his most necessary attribute this yr could be his well being.
He was restricted to at least one begin within the common season and three brief appearances within the playoffs.
“In terms of my health, I feel very good,” Senga stated. “I’m happy I’m able to be out here after the year I had last year.”
Senga’s 2024 season was marred by a shoulder pressure suffered in spring coaching.
In his lone regular-season look, Senga went down with a calf pressure that sidelined him till the playoffs.
He’s assured he’ll have the ability to stay in a single piece the remainder of this yr.
“I’m grateful to be out there and my brain is more tailored toward what I have to do in order to stay out on the field,’’ Senga said. “I’m very focused on keeping myself healthy and performing at a high level.”
As for his glowing ERA in early Could, Senga stated he had “no thoughts on it. If this was later on in the season, maybe the last month, and I was still at the top, then I’d have different feelings on it. But one bad outing now and your ERA can skyrocket.”
