Game 1 of the NLCS didn’t go as planned for the New York Mets, who suffered a 9-0 loss in a contest that seemed over before it started. Much of that was due to the struggles of right-hander Kodai Senga.

Senga, 31, made only his third start of the year (second in the postseason) after missing most of the year with shoulder and calf injuries. Expected to pitch no more than three innings, he struggled with command and only lasted 1.1 innings.

The Mets right-hander threw 30 pitches, but only 10 for strikes; during that span, he walked four batters, threw a wild pitch, committed a pitching clock violation, and allowed three runs before being removed. Reed Garrett followed with 1.1 innings of relief, and left-hander David Peterson, who started the regular season, came in for 2.1 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits while striking out two and while walking one.

In Senga’s previous postseason start in Game 1 of the NLDS, he allowed a leadoff home run to Kyle Schwarber, but finished with three strikeouts and one walk in two innings, hitting 18 of his 31 pitches for strikes.

Senga’s departure in Game 1 pushed left-handed ace Sean Manaea, who would have pitched on normal rest, and Luis Severino, who would have had two extra days, to Games 2 and 3. If the series goes seven games, it becomes less likely that either of the top starters could participate in a potential winner-takes-all scenario.

Now the Mets must decide whether to risk pitching Senga for another start in Game 5 (if necessary), given his disappointing performance. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza was evasive when asked if he would feel comfortable turning to Senga again.

“We have to wait and see how he reacts,” Mendoza said. “I think it will depend on how he bounces back.”

Senga said he was in good health after the match, attributing his struggles to mechanical issues. However, he has faced setbacks before, including a reported triceps strain during a minor league rehab outing in late September. If this issue resurfaces, the Mets could remove him from the roster and make Adam Ottavino the injury replacement, which under MLB rule would make Senga ineligible for the World Series.

If the Mets aren’t comfortable starting a fully healthy Senga again, they have two clear options: David Peterson or Tylor Megill. Peterson has been effective in relief during these postseasons, but committing to him as a starter for Game 5 would prevent his use in that role again. In theory, this position would go to Senga if they founded someone else.

Megill went 4-5 with a 4.04 ERA in 16 games (15 starts) during the regular season. On May 28, he pitched seven shutout innings against the Dodgers, striking out nine while allowing only three hits and one walk. However, if Manaea can’t go deep in Monday’s game, Megill might be needed before Game 5. Peterson and José Butto threw over 40 pitches in relief on Sunday, ruling them out of Game 2.

The series will move to Citi Field for Games 3-5 after an off day Tuesday. There will be no days off between these games, so every pitching decision is magnified.