NEW YORK -- How confident are the New York Mets in rookie Noah Syndergaard taking the mound on Friday night at Citi Field with the Amazin’s in an 0-2 hole in the World Series?
Manager Terry Collins revealed Thursday that on the plane ride back from Chicago after completing a sweep of the Chicago Cubs in the National League Championship Series, the staff kicked around making Syndergaard the Game 1 starter in the Fall Classic.
“That's how well we think he's pitching," Collins said. "We've got great confidence in him tomorrow night.”
The Mets ultimately opted for Matt Harvey to open the World Series at Kauffman Stadium, with Syndergaard lined up for Games 3 and 7.
“I think as much as you'd like to go to that crusty, veteran guy who's been here, who's done it, to help bail you out of the hole you're in, we're not asking that," Collins said. "We're asking this kid to go out and pitch his game, and his stuff should play.”
Syndergaard opposes Kansas City Royals right-hander Yordano Ventura at 8:07 p.m. ET on Friday.
“Obviously we didn't plan this to happen to be down 0-2,” Syndergaard said. “Coming back home is a big thing for us -- having the Mets faithful behind us and the greatest fans in baseball. Part of the reason our team has had so much success this year is being to handle the resiliency and come together as a team, overcome and win some ballgames.”
Syndergaard is 1-1 with a 2.77 ERA in three postseason appearances (two starts).
He is the hardest throwing of the Mets’ flamethrowers, regularly touching 100 mph this October.
Cognizant of the Royals’ proficiency hitting fastballs, Harvey in the World Series opener threw the lowest percentage of fastballs he ever had in a major league game. He ended up allowing three runs in six innings in the Mets' eventual 5-4 loss.
Asked if he should just pitch to his strength, even if the Royals are proficient at making contact with fastballs, Syndergaard replied: “That's my main focus tomorrow night, is being able to pitch to my strengths and being able to execute all my pitches, and just focus on winning one pitch at a time.”