Peterson is named to the NLCS G5 against Dodgers as the Mets try to stay alive

NEW YORK – To avoid elimination against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series on Friday, the New York Mets will call on left-hander David Peterson for Game 5, manager Carlos Mendoza announced after the team's 10-2 loss announced Game 4 on Thursday.

The 29-year-old Peterson will make his first postseason start after four appearances, including 2⅓ innings in the first game of the series on Sunday.

The Dodgers lead 3-1 in the best-of-seven series.

“He’s fully rested before an elimination game,” Mendoza said. “He was one of our starters – one of our best starters. We just feel like he’s going to give us the best chance.”

Peterson made 21 regular-season starts and posted a 2.90 ERA, but hasn't pitched more than three innings in a game since late last month. He had two relief games of 40 or more pitches during the playoffs, including his appearance in Game 1. He allowed three runs, four hits and a walk in that game, a 9-0 loss to LA

“It means a lot to get the ball in a situation like that,” Peterson said. “Having the trust of many, the team and the coaching staff is huge. …I feel ready to go as deep as necessary. I look forward to it. Ready to give any pitch I have.”

As expected, he will be tackled by Dodgers Game 1 starter Jack Flaherty. The veteran right-hander shut out the Mets with two hits over seven innings in his first start of the series. He will also take a normal rest period.

“We just felt (Friday) was the day,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “So he’s lined up.”

The Mets are hoping for better success against Flaherty and build their offense in Game 4 – even if they lost. They had 10 hits and three walks in the game, but only managed two runs.

The position they find themselves in is reminiscent of their season as a whole. New York secured a spot in the playoffs on the final day of the season, then suffered its final outing in the wild card round against the Milwaukee Brewers before things got back on track. Now the Mets must try again — win the next three games — to keep their season alive.

“This group has responded so well to adversity all year,” first baseman Pete Alonso said. “The only word I can think of for the 2024 Mets other than Grimace is resiliency. That’s just who we are.”

Shortstop Francisco Lindor urged his teammates to learn from the last two days – both losses – and insist they “execute” better when they use runners.

“If you don’t have faith, you shouldn’t be here,” he said. “You have to fight for what you want. It’s a matter of taking it one day at a time and executing.”

Peterson could also use a little better execution. Before he was tagged for three runs in Game 1, he hadn't given up a run all month. His best result came against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 of the NL Division Series, when he pitched three scoreless innings.

The team could have chosen the strategy it used in that game, starting Kodai Senga and piggybacking on Peterson, but instead chose to let the five-year veteran start and pitch for as long as possible. The Mets will need their best against the Dodgers, who have scored 30 runs in the first four games of the series.

“I expect him to be a regular starter,” Mendoza said. “Our starters are one of the reasons we're here, and we haven't had enough of them yet. …And here we are now.”