If the Mets have one clear advantage in the series, it’s starting pitching depth.
They do not have the best starter in the series. That’s Zack Wheeler. You can argue that they don’t even have the second-best starter if you like Cristopher Sánchez or Aaron Nola over Sean Manaea.
What they do have is more options. The wild card series will push back Luis Severino and Manaea to Games 2 and 3, but the Mets will try to get through Game 1 by leaning on that advantage.
In a bit of a surprise, Kodai Senga, who has pitched in only one game this season, will start Game 1.