MLB Player News

Mets standout starter Jacob DeGrom would receive the start in Game 5 against the Dodgers should it be required, Marc Carig of Newsday reports.

DeGrom pitched a nearly flawless first playoff outing, tossing seven scoreless innings with 13 strikeouts, and could be rewarded with another National League Division Series start because of it. If that's the case, he would potentially be matched up with either Clayton Kershaw or Zack Greinke.

Pitcher Steven Matz (back) will start Game 4 for the Mets, Marc Carig of Newsday reports.

Matz's addition to the playoff roster seemed to signify his potential availability for Game 4, and that is indeed the case. He'll likely match up against Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw unless the club decides to give Brett Anderson a start.

Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw allowed three runs on four hits and four walks while striking out 11 over 6 2/3 innings against the Mets on Friday, dropping Game 1 of the NLDS.

Daniel Murphy, who had just one homer off a lefty in 126 regular-season at-bats, went yard against Kershaw to put the Mets on the board in the fourth inning. Kershaw was pulled after loading the bases in the seventh, and Pedro Baez promptly allowed two inherited runs to score on a single by David Wright. Jacob deGrom outperformed Kershaw on the other side, tossing seven scoreless with 13 strikeouts, and Kershaw has now taken the loss in five straight postseason starts.

Mets starter Jacob deGrom tossed seven scoreless innings against the Dodgers on Friday to earn a victory in Game 1 of the NLDS. He allowed five hits and a walk while striking out 13.

The right-hander had a little something extra on the big stage, with 73 of his 75 fastballs thrown clocking in above his regular-season average of 94.9 mph. He induced 24 swings-and-misses, outdueling Clayton Kershaw, who also turned in a double-digit strikeout performance. After the game, manager Terry Collins told ESPN New York that deGrom probably "went too far" to be an option to start Game 4 on short rest.

Cardnals pitcher Lance Lynn is available out of the bullpen Friday for Game 1 of the NLDS, per MLB.com.

Manager Mike Matheny suggested he would only turn to Lynn in an emergency, perhaps if John Lackey is chased early or the game goes into extras. Lynn finished the regular season with a 3.03 ERA and 167 strikeouts, but showed some signs of fatigue down the stretch. He will start Game 4 on Tuesday, if necessary.

Mets rookie pitcher Steven Matz (back) is on the National League Division Series roster and will likely pitch Game 4 against the Dodgers, per Matt Ehalt of The Record.

While the team hasn't officially announced who will pitch Game 4, his status on the playoff roster is a clear sign the rookie will be available if needed.

Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks will start Game 2 of the NLDS, ESPN's Jesse Rogers reports.

Hendricks ended the year strong, pitching a shutout through six inning in his final two starts and will look to carry it over to Game 2 of the NLDS when he faces Lance Lynn and the Cardinals.

Lynn will start Game 4 of the NLDS, Benjamin Hochman of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

It's unclear who Lynn will matchup against as the Mets have yet to officially announce their Game 4 starter, however it appears as if he might face Steven Matz who is attempting bounce back from an injury to his back which he suffered near the end of September. Lynn has been automatic as of late, giving up just one run in his last 16 innings. That being said, anything can change during the postseason.

Wacha will start Game 3 of the NLDS, Benjamin Hochman of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Wacha will take the mound in a pivotal Game 3 matchup against Mets' righty Matt Harvey on Monday. Wacha's had some success against the Mets in his career -- he won his only start against them this year -- however both teams have changed considerably since he last pitched against them May 19.

Matz said his back felt fine after an 80-pitch outing during an instructional league game Thursday, but his status with the Mets during the playoffs is still up in the air, Jon Santucci of the Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers reports.

It certainly seems like Matz will rejoin the Mets and start Game 4 of the NLDS after multiple reports suggested the 24-year-old was in mid-season form, however nothing official has been announced as of yet. That being said, his status with the club should be decided sometime in the coming days.