Mets No. 40 eye black, explained: New York players support starting pitcher Luis Severino in NLCS Game 3

The Mets are in the NLCS in large part due to their starting pitching, as their rotation picked up its play in the second half of the season.

New York's pitchers are not only talented, but they also clearly support each other. And they have the rest of the team's support as well, which is on display during every game.

Case in point: NLCS Game 3 vs. the Dodgers, with Luis Severino on the mound. As Severino, who wears No. 40, took the hill, Mets players were seen wearing No. 40 eye-black on their faces.

SN's MLB HQ: Live MLB scores | Updated MLB standings | Full MLB schedule

Why did Mets write '40' with eye black?

During Game 2 of the NLDS against the Phillies, which Severino started for the Mets, Jesse Winker drew Severino's No. 40 in eye black on his face to show his support.

"It just happened…There was no rhyme or reason for it," Winker said, via Newsday . "I put on the four-zero…I usually put a little diagonal thing but that day, and I don't know - that day was Sevy day [and that’s his number] - and all of our pitchers have been so great, and on top of being really good baseball players, they're incredible dudes to be around."

With that, Mets players started a new tradition. They continued it Wednesday, wearing No. 40-shaped eye black for Severino as New York hosted Game 3 of the NLCS.

The new tradition even goes past the game, as Severino wore Sean Manaea's No. 59 in eye black while he was flying home Monday during Game 2 to get to New York a day ahead of the rest of the team.

Luis Severino stats today

Severino kept the Dodgers at bay, allowing just two runs despite dealing with traffic on the bases all night. He escaped the third inning without allowing a run despite loading the bases but was pulled midway through the fifth after allowing two baserunners.

The veteran starter has now made three playoff starts, and all three gave the Mets a chance to win.

In Game 1 of the wild-card round vs. Milwaukee,  he allowed four runs but still got the win after throwing six innings in an 8-4 win. Then, in Game 2 of the NLDS, Severino left in  a 3-3 tie game, though the Phillies ultimately won 7-6.