Mets playoffs: Noah Syndergaard is third-youngest postseason starter in Mets history

When Noah Syndergaard takes the mound tonight at Dodger Stadium he'll be the third-youngest starting pitcher in Mets' playoff history and the youngest in nearly thirty years. Syndergaard is 23 years and 42 days old today.

The youngest pitcher to ever start a playoff game for the Mets was Dwight Gooden, who made four starts in 1986—two apiece in the NLCS against the Astros (Game 1 and Game 5) and the World Series against the Red Sox (Game 2 and Game 5). Gooden was just 21 years and 326 days old when he made that first start, a month or so shy of his 22nd birthday. He was marvelous in his two League Championship Series starts, allowing just two runs over 17 innings, though he struggled in his two World Series starts, giving up 10 runs—eight earned—in just nine innings.

On his 23rd birthday, Gary Gentry started Game 3 of the 1969 NLCS against the Braves, though he was removed after just two innings having allowed two runs on five hits and a walk. The Mets won the game anyway. In Game 3 of the World Series against the Orioles Gentry tossed 6.2 somewhat wild innings, walking five and striking out four but keeping Baltimore off the board in an eventual 5-0 Mets win.

Though he didn't start any games, Nolan Ryan was the second-youngest pitcher to appear in a postseason game for the Mets. At 22 years and 248 days, Ryan picked up the win in relief of Gentry in Game 3 of the 1969 NLCS, striking out seven Braves in seven innings. He relieved Gentry again eight days later, picking up the save in Game 3 of the World Series.