Sandy Alderson asked Terry Collins during the winter if the manager had ever considered batting the pitcher eighth, as a way to have more men on base when No. 3 hitter David Wright comes up subsequent times through the order, writes Adam Rubin of ESPN New York.

Collins said he had been thinking about that as well, as long as the Mets had a bona fide ninth hitter with lead-off qualities.

With the speed of Juan Lagares, Collins decided to test out the look in today’s game against the Braves and bat Zack Wheeler in the eighth spot.

Rubin adds that Collins told the Lagares earlier today, not to be upset, and instead consider himself the lead-off hitter the second time through the order, with Wright essentially the cleanup hitter after the first turn.

With the game about to begin, will be interesting to see how the new order pans out and if it helps guys like Wright and Curtis Granderson to drive in more runs.