METS PLAYOFFS THREAD

Mets prefer Noah Syndergaard for Game 2, but unsure he'll feel ready

NEW YORK -- The New York Mets would prefer Noah Syndergaard to start Game 2 of the National League Championship Series opposite Chicago Cubs ace Jake Arrieta. Still, Mets manager Terry Collins is unable to commit to Syndergaard for Sunday’s game just yet.

Not only did Syndergaard throw 17 pitches in relief at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, he also threw more than 100 pitches while warming up four times to enter the game, Collins estimated.

The Mets would use Steven Matz in Game 2 if Syndergaard is not ready to make the start.

“His last time he pitched, the second day he was still pretty sore,” Collins said, referring to Syndergaard’s start last Saturday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. “Of all the guys, I’m certainly well aware I got him up four times last night. You can almost say he got ready four times. That could have almost been five innings of work, because I knew he threw over 100 pitches warming up. So if he’s still tender tomorrow, he’s probably not going to be the Game 2 guy. So that’s why I said I don’t have one at the moment.”

Matt Harvey will start Saturday’s NLCS opener opposite Jon Lester. Matz over Syndergaard in Game 2 likely would push Syndergaard to Game 4. That would be big, since it likely would mean Matz making two starts and Syndergaard only one if the series goes the distance.

Jacob deGrom figures to start Games 3 and 7.

Syndergaard was lights-out in his first major league relief appearance, tossing a scoreless seventh inning against the Dodgers on Thursday to preserve a one-run lead en route to a 3-2 series-clinching win. His first pitch registered 100 mph. He struck out two and issued one walk in the frame.

“The amount of 100-mph fastballs that he’s been throwing up there have been more impressive than anything,” Harvey said. “He’s an animal. He loves the ball just as much as anybody. You kind of feel for a guy like that who has never really been in that situation and gets up, gets down, gets up. He came in and did a great job, like we knew he would. The things that he’s accomplished this year and how much he’s grown have really been fun to see. We’re all excited to see what he can do next.”