Long: Duda not done yet

The combination of a horrific NLDS and lefty Jon Lester on the mound for Cubs in the first game of the NLCS landed Lucas Duda on the bench Saturday night and Michael Cuddyer at first base.

Despite the switch, manager Terry Collins insisted Duda would be back in the lineup Sunday against righthander Jake Arrieta, and hitting coach Kevin Long stood up for the beleaguered Duda.

“I watched his overall swings and his approach and I don’t think he’s that far off,” Long said of Duda. “I’ve said it before and he got hot before. The results aren’t there right now.”

Duda had just two singles in 18 atbats in the NLDS against the Dodgers. He struck out 11 times and walked twice — but Long said he believes the first baseman will bounce back.

“He’s confident and ready to go,” Long said. “I don’t think you’ve heard the last of Lucas Duda.”

If the Mets want to advance to their first World Series since 2000, they will need Duda to be productive, but in the meantime, Collins said he felt like going with the righthitting Cuddyer, who entered Saturday’s game with five hits in 19 career atbats against Lester, including a pair of doubles.

“We don’t play the Cubs very often, obviously, so we don’t get to see Lester or Arrieta very much,” the manager said. “So when you have a guy that’s familiar with what somebody does to get people out, today in our scouts meeting, Michael Cuddyer, believe me, will speak up, because he has a good idea. Not that it’s ever easy to face those kind of pitchers because one thing we know about Jon Lester, he’s a biggame pitcher. He’s shown it in the last few years. But Michael’s seen him. He knows how to face him. So we thought today would be a good matchup for him.”

Cuddyer went hitless in four atbats in the NLDS and had a rough time in left field at Dodger Stadium, but he felt like he could contribute in this round.

“I’ve prepared every day as if I were playing,” Cuddyer said. “That’s half the battle. I’m prepared to get the job done.”

And he said the lack of playing earlier in the postseason didn’t bother him.

“I signed here to win,” Cuddyer said. “I’m on board with whatever it takes to get us to the next round.”