During spring training, Mets manager Terry Collins said that starting 1st baseman, Lucas Duda would not platoon at first base during the regular season. However that could be subject to change this weekend.
The Mets will head into Atlanta to face another division rival, the Braves this weekend, who are set to start lefty, Eric Stults on Friday and another southpaw, Alex Wood on Sunday.
Collins announced on Thursday that Duda will likely sit in one of those games. If Duda sits, Michael Cuddyer will move to first base while reserve John Mayberry Jr will get to start in the outfield.
One of the factors is that Lucas struggled mightily vs lefties last season. He hit .180 with 2 home runs and 10 RBIs in 111 at bats vs southpaws.
However, a refocused Duda came to camp and performed very well during spring training against left-handers, even demanding he play against.some of the best like David Price. He batted .304/.385/.552 in 23 at-bats against lefties this spring.
“It gets a little bit overplayed, I guess. It’s monotonous to hear about it,” Duda said last March about him being unable to hit lefties. “It is what it is. I’m comfortable facing them on a daily basis. That’s all that really matters.”
Nevertheless Duda will probably sit out in one of those games started by a left this weekend. He is 0 for 6 with 3 strikeouts and 2 walks in his career vs Wood, and against Stults, he is 1 for 4 with 2 Ks.
