Luis Severino starts Game 1 after the Mets avoided the worst-case scenario

ATLANTA – Luis Severino is thrilled he didn’t have to pitch on Monday.

“That would have been bad for us,” Severino said. “I wouldn’t say that was the worst-case scenario for us. There was no doubt that we were going to go out and compete and win the second game, but it would have been hard not knowing who was going to pitch those [playoff games].”

The right-hander was inserted as the Mets starter for the nightcap of a doubleheader against the Braves.

But when his team won the first game 8-7 and secured a postseason berth, he was allowed to concentrate on pitching Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series.

Although manager Carlos Mendoza hasn’t announced a move for the Brewers, he will have Severino on full rest and be able to move on from Sean Manaea and Jose Quintana (both also on normal rest).

Severino, 30, has been a workhorse this season, starting 31 games and posting a 3.91 ERA in 182 innings.

The Mets spent money well as they signed Severino to a one-year deal worth $13 million last winter.

Severino last faced the Brewers on the opening weekend of the season at Citi Field, in his first start in a Mets uniform.

“That probably wasn’t my best,” Severino said of the five-inning performance in which he allowed six runs (three of which were unearned). “My sweeper wasn’t my sweeper, there were a lot of missed throws out there.”

Severino allowed a two-run home run against Mets nemesis Rhys Hoskins in that start.

“I will do my best to make sure this doesn’t happen again,” Severino said.

It is the 11th career postseason start for Severino, who went 1-4 with a 5.15 ERA over 10 postseason series with the Yankees.

His final playoff start came against the Astros in the 2022 ALCS, where he allowed three earned runs over 5¹/₃ innings in a loss.

What does it mean for Severino to get the ball for Game 1?

“That means I was healthy all year and was able to compete in the playoffs,” Severino said. “I hope to give this team a chance to win and play against the next team.”