Mets news could mean a better chance of a Brewers 2024 Opening Day victory

It's hard to know exactly what the starting lineups will look like when the Milwaukee Brewers hit the road to take on the New York Mets in the very first game of the 2024 season for not only the two teams but MLB as a whole.

Spring training battles need to be fought by players on both sides, the results of which will determine batting orders for each of the two teams. One thing that was probably all but predetermined, though, were the starting pitchers for the game.

For the Brewers, it's hard to imagine the Opening Day starter wouldn't be Freddy Peralta. The 27-year-old all but secured ace status when Brandon Woodruff suffered a fall injury that may keep him out for all of this season and Corbin Burnes was traded to the Orioles this offseason.

On the Mets' side, 2023 NL Rookie of the Year runner up Kodai Senga likely had the inside track to oppose Peralta on the mound. Well not only will that not be happening, he may not be facing any batters for quite some time.

The Brewers' chances at an Opening Day victory may have just gotten better with news of an injury to Mets pitcher Kodai Senga.

On Wednesday, Mets GM David Stearns stated that Senga had suffered a strain in his right shoulder. As a result, as was relayed by MLB.com Mets beat writer Anthony DiComo, the pitcher is not expected to be ready to pitch by the time Opening Day rolls around.

Senga was excellent in his first season pitching stateside after 11 seasons in the Nippon Professional Baseball league in Japan. He would end up making 29 starts for New York, going 12-7 with a 2.98 ERA with 202 strikeouts, many of which coming off of his now famous "ghost fork" pitch.

The Brewers saw Senga one time last season, scoring twice against him on five hits and two walks over five innings, though they struck out eight times. Milwaukee would end up winning that road game by a score of 5-2.

With Senga on the shelf, the Mets could turn to a number of options to face off against the Crew to start the season. Offseason signees Luis Severino and Sean Manea likely have the best chances with Brewers killer Jose Quintana waiting in the wings to maybe get a start at some point during the series.

It will be worth monitoring the Mets rotation battle this spring to start to get an idea of who the Brewers might face on March 28th when the 2024 season kicks off. That's just five weeks for New York to figure out a new Opening Day starter.