Kodai Senga’s start last Saturday included 3 first inning strikeouts. All appears good when presented this way. However, Senga gave up a solo home run to the second batter of the game. It was the third home run of the year allowed by the arguable New York Mets ace and sixth run overall in the first inning. Now the owner of a 4.91 ERA in inning number one, a trend is developing.

First inning struggles aren’t new for Senga. He notably gave up a home run to the first batter he faced in the postseason start against the Philadelphia Phillies. No one was completely shocked because in 2023 he had a 4.34 ERA in inning number one—worse than any other by more than a full run. The next closest inning of mayhem was the third where he had a 3.14 ERA.

Something about the first inning and getting settled in just doesn’t seem to work so smoothly for him. The Mets won’t but maybe they should consider trying an opener just once to see what happens.

Creature of habit Kodai Senga probably doesn’t want an opener but it is worth a shot

There might not be anyone affiliated with the Mets who likes his routine more than Senga. The reason why the Mets utilize a six-man rotation with regularity, he needs a certain amount of rest. While injured last year, Senga was sure to wait until he felt completely right again to come back. Unfortunately, only one regular season start was all we got from him.

The Mets have kindly adjusted to the player’s preference. Six-man rotations are the future of Major League Baseball so accommodating him is getting ahead of everyone else. What about him embracing the other trend of teams using a reliever for an inning or two to get things started?

It’s not some kind of inning number one hex on Senga leading to the difficulties. If he began in the second or third inning, he could just as easily run into some of those same troubles. The benefit of starting in the second inning means facing slightly weaker hitters, bypassing the top of the order to start the game.

The argument against pushing your oftentimes best pitcher (Senga) back an inning or two could mean wasting him in a game that gets out of hand far too early. Who’s to stop the opposing team from tagging an opener for 5 early runs and Senga pitching through a day where the Mets never had a chance?

The Mets handled the Colorado Rockies just fine in Senga’s last appearance with Brett Baty knocking what would be the eventual game-winning run in to score with a first inning bases loaded triple. It doesn’t change the fact that Senga’s Achilles heel is too regular and there’s a trick to try. The team used Huascar Brazoban in games where Justin Hagenman and Brandon Waddell pitched. They have at least shown an openness to this strategy in certain spots.