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Noah Syndergaard's illness further complicates Mets playoff push
It’s official: The healthiest New York Mets starter is 43-year-old Bartolo Colon.
On Friday, the Mets announced the latest setback in their rotation, stating that right-hander Noah Syndergaard will be scratched from Saturday’s scheduled start as he battles strep throat.
Noah Syndergaard is suffering from strep throat and "is extremely under the weather." He will not pitch tomorrow. Sean Gilmartin to start.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) September 23, 2016
For once, there’s actually good news, as the illness will only be temporary. That means Syndergaard will certainly pitch again this season.
The bad news, of course, is the Mets don’t know exactly when he’ll be ready. And the worst news is they definitely needed him ready to go on Saturday. That’s because the Mets entered Friday in a three-way tie for the NL wild card. Every game right now is vital to their postseason hopes. And every game not started by Syndergaard or Colon leaves them extra vulnerable to lose ground.
Collins is hopeful to slot in Syndergaard Monday or Tuesday. Hopeful he can still use him twice if needed. Will worry later about WC game.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) September 23, 2016
That’s the only reasonable approach manager Terry Collins can take, but the situation has definitely thrown a wrench in the Mets plans. If Syndergaard pitches Monday or Tuesday, that would line him up again for next weekend. If he pitches then, which we assume will be necessary, that would essentially eliminate him from him any wild card scenario. Well, save maybe a relief appearance, which he’d certainly be willing to do.
None of this is ideal though, because it means the Mets will be squeezing every bit of energy they can from a now weakened Syndergaard and from Colon just to get into the postseason.
It’s become a season where the Mets simply can’t win under any circumstances. Every positive is offset by two negatives that would do most teams in. We wouldn’t say the latest setback made the Mets road impossible, but it became a lot more complicated. If they manage to overcome it all, they’ll have earned their spot.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
