Dodgers Mets Position-By-Position Breakdown

Sep 12, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (23) celebrates with third baseman Justin Turner (10) after hitting a solo home run in the third inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

First Base:

LAD Adrian Gonzalez– .280/.356/.493, 27 HR, 133 wRC+, 3.3 WAR

NYM Lucas Duda– .240/.344/.453, 21 HR, 122 wRC+, 2.2 WAR

This isn’t a slight on Duda, who has put together a very solid season. But AGon is painfully consistent. His average is a little lower than usual, but most of his numbers are right around his career averages.

Both first basemen are left-handed, and in limited action against lefties have reverse splits this year. Duda has a .291/.339/.518 slashline against lefties, but that’s aided by a .397 BABIP. His career slashline against lefties is much worse (.229/.302/.359). While Gonzalez’s numbers against lefties are better, they also matter less because unless Steven Matz or Jon Niese start, the Mets don’t have any lefty starters. Duda will have to face a pretty decent one in Clayton Kershaw and either Alex Wood or Brett Anderson.

Having not watched many Mets games this year, I can’t speak very much about Duda defensively. He’s statistically not great when it comes to Defensive Runs Saved (4) and UZR (-.1). Having watched almost all Dodger games this year, I can safely say that AGon is a really good defensive first baseman. DRS and UZR both support that (11 and 3.6, respectively).

I like Duda a lot, but this is a pretty clear-cut decision.

Advantage: Dodgers (1-0-1)

Next: Old Friend at Second Base?