Collins says lineup is his job, not GM’s

WASHINGTON— When it involves the daily lineup card, Terry Collins insists he is the boss.

Amid chatter that general manager Sandy Alderson was behind the unorthodox lineup the Mets unveiled for the season opener, Collins on Wednesday said it was the manager’s call.

“The one thing the manager has in his power is this,” Collins said while holding up the lineup card. “He’s got one hammer, and that’s who plays. And I am certainly very lucky to have that hammer.”

As a joke, Alderson walked into the manager’s office during his pregame media briefing and handed Collins a lineup card: “Here’s your lineup for tomorrow,” the GM told Collins.

The manager’s lineup, which includes David Wright batting second and Curtis Granderson leadoff, was first proposed by bench coach Bob Geren in February, according to Collins.

But the final decision to implement that lineup didn’t come until last weekend in Texas.

“This is something we talked about when we came to spring training,” Collins said. “We thought we’d look at it in spring training, we did and we’re still hoping somebody rises to the occasion and becomes the complete leadoff hitter. There is conversation every day on the lineup.”

Lucas Duda’s power makes him a good fit for the third spot in the order, behind Wright, according to Collins.

“The number that we talked about earlier, the one stat that stood out, the guy who comes up the most with two outs and nobody on is the three hitter,” Collins said. “We’re very lucky that our star player [ Wright] doesn’t care where he hits. ‘ Just leave me there,’ that is the only thing he asks.”

Duda will get a day off this weekend, according to Collins, because the Braves have lefty starting pitchers scheduled for Friday and Sunday.

John Mayberry Jr. would move to left field and Michael Cuddyer to first base, giving the lineup an extra righthanded bat.

Travis d’Arnaud will get a day off on the road trip, according to Collins, giving Anthony Recker a start behind the plate.