Bartolo Colon could start on Friday to set up Wild Card game contingency plan

As the Mets inch closer to a playoff spot—their magic number is two—speculation has begun as to who will start the Wild Card game on October 5. With all the injuries the Mets have suffered this season, the first answer that comes to mind would be Noah Syndergaard, as the dominant righty has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season. But according to Mike Puma in the New York Post, Bartolo Colon could also end up starting the win-or-go-home contest.

Colon threw just 47 pitches in his last start, giving up seven runs in New York’s 7-3 loss to the Marlins on Monday. He was initially slated to start Saturday’s game against the Phillies, but because Colon’s Monday outing was so short, Terry Collins is considering starting him on short rest in Friday’s series opener. This would allow Colon to start the Wild Card game on full rest if the Mets need to use Syndergaard on the final game of the season to clinch a Wild Card spot.

Collins is also considering starting Syndergaard on Sunday, even if the Mets have already clinched a Wild Card spot but haven’t wrapped up home-field advantage. In this scenario, Colon would also start the Wild Card game. Robert Gsellman is also scheduled to pitch at some point this weekend and will likely start whichever game Colon does not.

Syndergaard had been lined up to start the Wild Card game on regular rest for a couple weeks, but his strep throat diagnosis knocked him off that schedule. He last started on Tuesday, which would mean a Sunday start would be regular rest for him. If the Mets don’t use him on Sunday, he will throw a bullpen session at some point before October 5 and then start the Wild Card game on seven days rest.

In 186.2 innings this season, Colon has a 3.42 ERA, 4.00 FIP, and 122 strikeouts. Syndergaard, meanwhile, has a 2.60 ERA, 2.28 FIP, and 218 strikeouts in 183.2 innings this year.