Since returning from the disabled list on September 8, Mets first baseman Lucas Duda has struggled. We all know that Duda is a streaky hitter to say the least, but he has not yet been able to find that groove since coming back.
Duda has appeared in eight games since his return and is 3-for-25 with no home runs and one RBI. He has walked six times with five strikeouts.
Because of his current slump, manager Terry Collins has moved him down in the batting order to the seventh spot. “We have to get Duda as many at-bats as we possibly can. But at the same time we have to win games,” said Collins.-
Collins continues to go with his “hit or sit” mantra and playing the numbers and match-ups. Last night, he stacked righties up against Miami Marlins left-hander, Adam Conley. That though, did not go as planned as the Mets were shutout by the lefty, 6-0.
“It’s more about getting in the reps and doing extra work, which he wasn’t able to do. He’s a workaholic, and when he can’t do his normal work routine, I think it affects him,” added Mets hitting coach, Kevin Long.
Getting Duda going is significant because it helps make the Mets lineup deeper, but it’s something that will need to happen sooner rather than later. Lucas is a big part of this ballclub and can provide great protection for David Wright, and Yoenis Cespedes as well as providing some real thump when he is swinging the bat like we know he’s capable of.
