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The Mets had a vacancy in their rotation Saturday, when Noah Syndergaard was too sick to take to the mound. He was battling strep throat and the ineffective tag team of Sean Gilmartin and Rafael Montero took his place and pitched very poorly. The Mets attempted to make an epic comeback against the Phillies but fell just short when the final out was recorded.
Fortunately for the Mets, they won’t be without their big righty for too much longer. Manager Terry Collins revealed after the game that Syndergaard will pitch Tuesday in Miami against the Marlins. Bartolo Colon will pitch in Monday’s game, which will no doubt be an emotional one after today’s devastating loss of Jose Fernandez.
Every game is important for the Mets as they enter the final week of the season. Should the Wild Card race come down to the final game on the schedule, Noah Syndergaard is now set up to pitch in that game. If the Mets clinch a playoff spot before then, the Mets will instead keep their ace in the hole and have him pitch in the Wild Card game.
Both Syndergaard and Colon are the last men standing from the rotation that started the year, and they will need to be in top form if the Mets want to make the playoffs and beyond.