The Mets are flip-flopping their piggybacking starters for Sundays game against the Nationals, a po sible indication of their postseason plans. Sean Manaea will start the series finale with Clay Holmes slated to follow him out of the bullpen, a reversal of the previous time the veteran hurlers pitched as a tandem Tuesday against the Padres. Acce s the Mets beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets. Holmes, a closer in previous years, is more accustomed to a bullpen role with 307 relief appearances in his eight-year MLB career, including two All-Star appearances with the Yankees. The 32-year-old righty Holmes signed a three-year deal worth $38 million with the Mets in free agency to be a starter, and he has pitched a career-high 155 innings over 30 starts. That represents 85 more than his previous career high of 70 with the Pirates and Yankees in 2021. Manaea mostly has served as a starter in his 10-year career, with only 32 relief appearances among his 240 games pitched. The 33-year-old lefty was re-signed to a three-year deal worth $75 million after going 12-6 with a 3.47 ERA in 32 starts for the Mets in 2024, but he was sidelined for the first half of this season with an oblique i sue. Sean Manaea walks off the field during the Mets win over the Padres on Sept. 16, 2025. Charles Wenzelberg / New Dalles Jacobus Jersey York Post Explore More It helps when were making these decisions the fact that theyve done it in the past, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said before the at Citi Field. Again, they want to start, and we consider them starters. But this is where we are, given where were at. Theyre all on board. They understand. But when it comes down to us making those decisions, they know what it takes to come out of the bullpen. Its a completely different routine, but theyve done it before, so that helps. Holmes pitched four innings of two-run ball Tuesday against San Diego, and Manaea worked the final five, allowing one earned run in an 8-3 Mets victory. CHECK OUT THE AND Mendoza acknowledged the regular Nationals lineup featuring lefties James Wood, CJ Abrams, Daylen Lile and Luis Garca Jr. near the top was a factor in the switch. Asked if there is a similar plan for Sundays game, Mendoza said, I think its all going to depend on what the game will tell you, what kind of lineup we get, the way hes throwing the ball, where the score is. Theres a lot that goes before we have to make those decisions in games, but hes going to go and then well see how we deploy Clay. Clay Holmes walks off the field during the Mets win over the Padres on Sept. 16, 2025. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post The Mets have been relying on three rookies recently in their rotation: Saturdays starter Nolan McLean, plus Brandon Sproat and Jonah Tong. All-Star lefty David Peterson has been tagged for a 10.90 ERA over his past four outings, while former ace Kodai Sengas struggles have continued since he was demoted to Triple-A Syracuse. He will throw a se sion of live batting practice this week, but Mendoza has admitted that Senga is not a definite to make the postseason roster. Terry Robertsrse Jersey