What Led to Kodai Senga’s Struggles?

What Led to Kodai Senga’s Struggles?

New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga faced challenges during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the NL Championship on October 13, 2024. Senga pointed to a “mechanical error” as the primary reason for his underperformance, which ultimately led to New York’s 9-0 loss at Dodger Stadium. He was pulled after the second inning with just 30 pitches thrown—only 10 of which were strikes.

Early Control Issues

After eliminating the first batter, Senga struggled to find the strike zone. He threw 23 pitches but only landed seven as strikes, walking three consecutive batters. This gave Max Muncy an opportunity to hit a two-run single, placing the Dodgers ahead at 2-0.

“He lost his control. He couldn’t maintain his form,” said Mets coach Carlos Mendoza post-game. Mendoza also noted that Senga’s fastball lacked its usual energy and pointed out flaws in his splitter execution.

Attempted Adjustments and Mechanical Issues

Senga later admitted he was aware of the issue right before taking the mound. “I tried to make some on-the-spot adjustments, but obviously, it didn’t work,” he shared through his interpreter. Senga ultimately allowed three earned runs on two hits and four walks, and for the first time in his career, he failed to strike out any batters.

Performance Decline in Key Pitches

Senga’s signature forkball was inconsistent, achieving only three whiffs in the first inning. His fastball velocity also dropped to an average of 93.5 mph—a decline from last season’s 95.7 mph—which he confirmed impacted his throwing mechanics.

Season-Long First-Inning Struggles

Throughout the season, Senga has had difficulty in the first innings, with 17 runs allowed over his initial 30 innings and an ERA of 4.20. A similar struggle was evident during his season opener against the Phillies, where he allowed Kyle Schwarber to hit a leadoff home run. However, in that instance, Senga quickly regained his control, limiting the Phillies to minimal runs afterward.

In contrast, during Game 1 of the NLCS, Senga’s issues persisted, further complicated by a pitch clock violation in the second inning. As he moves forward, these recurring first-inning struggles remain a critical area for improvement.