Episode Details

Kodai Senga and Sean Manaea shift from rotation anchors to wild cards for the New York Mets—can either reclaim ace status in 2026?  

Host Ryan Finkelstein breaks down why Senga’s season unraveled after a hamstring injury, spotlighting his soaring home run rate post-injury and the challenge of recapturing elite form.  

Manaea’s own struggles are dissected, revealing how lost confidence and mental lapses sabotaged a season where his underlying metrics still flashed ace potential.

With insights from new pitching coach Justin Willard and a focus on advanced stats like xFIP and Sierra, the discussion highlights the adjustments both pitchers are making—including Manaea’s return to a refined arm slot and revived changeup.  

Projections, health concerns, and the Mets’ revamped pitching depth take center stage as Ryan Finkelstein weighs who is the better bounce-back candidate—and what it means for the team’s playoff hopes.

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