Thor prepared, eager to start Wild Card Game

NEW YORK — There was no singular moment when Noah Syndergaard morphed from a potential superstar into an actual one, his vast pool of potential fulfilled. Mets manager Terry Collins simply recalls bits and pieces of watching the process unfold. Long possessing physical gifts beyond those of nearly every player in baseball, Syndergaard began scribbling down notes from other starters. He watched what Jacob deGrom did to win, for example, emulating it as best he could.

“He figured out himself what he’s got to do to be successful on the mound,” Collins said. “It’s hard for a young guy to learn, yet he learned it on the fly, and I think that’s what’s helped make him better.”

Entering Wednesday’s National League Wild Card Game against the Giants at Citi Field (8 p.m. ET on ESPN), Syndergaard can now call himself one of the best starting pitchers in baseball, an easy entry on the short list of the game’s top arms. Syndergaard’s four-seam fastball hits 101 mph. His slider has been clocked above 95 mph. His sinker, curve and changeup are all weapons he uses every game.

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That is why the Mets chose him to start their most important game of the season — win or go home. In reality, with deGrom, Matt Harvey and Steven Matz all injured, it was not much of a choice.

Date Time Matchup TV Oct. 5 8 p.m. ET SF …

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