New York @ Chicago preview
Wrigley Field
Last Meeting ( Apr 22, 2010 ) Chi. Cubs 2, NY Mets 5
The New York Mets and Chicago Cubs hardly resemble the same teams that tangled for a four-game series at Citi Field in April, when both teams still had high hopes of playing deep into October.
Now they're a pair of squads with an eye toward the future, as they settle in for a three-game series at Wrigley Field beginning this afternoon.
New York lost three of four to National League East leader Atlanta this week to drop 12 games back in the division. The Mets' lineup for Thursday's 4-2 win contained only two position players who were opening day starters, in addition to starting pitcher Johan Santana.
The Cubs have gone through nearly as much turnover, beginning a youth movement by trading veterans Derrek Lee, Ryan Theriot and Ted Lilly and turning to prospects such as Starlin Castro and Tyler Colvin.
The moves have worked to some degree for the Cubs - they're still 21 1/2 games back of Cincinnati in the NL Central, but they are 6-3 under interim manager Mike Quade. Quade moved into that role from the third-base coaching box when Lou Piniella retired Aug. 22.
Castro has been one of few bright spots all season. The 20-year-old shortstop has four consecutive multi-hit games and is hitting .365 since the All-Star break. He has been especially good at home, hitting .355 at Wrigley Field since he was called up May 7.
Castro and the Cubs will try to keep it going when they get their first look at 35-year-old right-hander R.A. Dickey, who has been a pleasant surprise for the Mets.
Dickey (9-5, 2.57 ERA) has won his last two decisions, most recently shutting down the Houston Astros in a 5-1 victory Sunday. In that one, the knuckleball specialist allowed one run on six hits over seven innings.
The Cubs counter with 28-year-old right-hander Randy Wells (6-12, 4.50 ERA), who is looking to win consecutive starts for the first time since April 25 and April 30 against Milwaukee and Arizona.
After a strong rookie campaign in which he won 12 games, Wells has endured a sophomore slump. He held the Reds to two runs over six innings Saturday, snapping a streak of five consecutive losses to earn only his second win since the All-Star break.
Wells faced the Mets on April 19, allowing one run over six innings before a bullpen blow-up led to a 6-1 New York victory. He is 0-1 with a 1.50 ERA in two starts against the Mets.
The injury-ravaged Mets have averaged 2.9 runs over their past nine games, but they hope to get two key players back in the lineup this weekend. Shortstop Jose Reyes took full batting practice Wednesday for the first time since aggravating a right oblique injury last week, and outfielder Angel Pagan should be ready to return from a wrist injury that kept him out for three games.