After a much-needed win on Saturday against the Marlins, thanks to a herculean performance from Clay Holmes, the Mets will look to Sean Manaea to try and do the same in the regular season finale on Sunday.
The Mets announced Manaea will start Game 162 shortly after Saturday's win as New York looks to punch their ticket to the postseason. Barring the result of the Reds-Brewers game on Saturday night, the Mets will need a win and a Reds loss to grab the final wild-card spot.
Pegging Manaea as Sunday's starter doesn't come as too much of a surprise. Manager Carlos Mendoza has already used all of the starters on the active roster, and the second-year skipper did leave the southpaw starting the final game of the regular season as an option when discussing Holmes' start before the series opener on Friday.
Now, how far Manaea will pitch is anyone's guess. The left-hander last pitched on Wednesday against the Cubs, allowing two runs on two hits in his one inning of work out of the bullpen. Prior to that, he started last Sunday's loss to the Nationals, allowing three runs in three innings.
It's been an almost lost season for Manaea, who started the season on the IL and returned in mid-July. The southpaw returned but is pitching through a loose body in his elbow, which could be affecting his pitching. In 14 appearances (11 starts) this season, Manaea has pitched to a 5.80 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP.
David Peterson was also a candidate to start Sunday's game, but Peterson was ineffective in his outing on Tuesday. He allowed five runs in 1.1 innings against the Cubs, continuing his troubling second half.
With Sunday being the final regular season game, all hands are on deck. Fans should expect to see Peterson out of the bullpen as they look to lock down their 84th win of the season.
The Mets will have to get to talented young right-hander, Edward Cabrera when they play the Marlins on Sunday afternoon.
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