New York Mets

Mets will likely play James Loney at first base in Wild Card game

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Loney is expected to start for the Mets over Lucas Duda

The Mets will likely start James Loney at first base in the Wild Card game Wednesday night against the Giants at Citi Field.

Manager Terry Collins said he decided on the lineup but wouldn’t divulge it. However, Loney hinted to reporters that he would be starting at first base.

Duda, the other consideration to start, is expected to be on the 25-man roster.

Loney hit .265/.307/.397 with nine home runs and 34 RBI in 100 games (343 at-bats) this season.

Duda hit .229/.302/.412 with seven home runs and 23 RBI in 47 games (153 at-bats) this season.

Since returning from his back injury on Sept. 18, Duda has gone 5-for-23.

Duda is a better offensive player and better defensive player than Loney, but he’ll be on the bench Wednesday night. It’s a bit hard to figure.

Perhaps the Mets don’t feel Duda is up to game speed yet, but that didn’t prevent them from starting him at first base in six of nine games down the stretch.

Strangely, there are those who think Loney is the better defensive player than Duda, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

So even if you’re not 100 percent confident in Duda’s offensive ability right now, at least he’s a first baseman who will actually stretch for throws and field the position well.

And with lefty Madison Bumgarner on the mound for the Giants and Loney (2-for-13 for his carer against Bumgarner) and Duda (0-for-1 against him) both left-handed hitters who may have a tough time at the plate against him, defense should’ve been a factor here.

The other options were right-hander Eric Campbell (who has been terrible this season and hasn’t played much lately) and lefty-hitting Kelly Johnson.

Going with Johnson would’ve been an interesting move, since he’s 7-for-20 in his career against Bumgarner.

Perhaps Duda will come off the bench late against one of San Francisco’s relievers and deliver a huge hit. But he should be starting.