The Cubs have swept three three-game series this year, all on the road (in April vs. the Brewers, in July vs. the Diamondbacks, and two weeks ago vs. the Nationals).
Only two other times have they gone into the last game of a three-game set at home with a chance to sweep it (in April vs. the Brewers, and in July vs. the Cardinals). They've played extremely well under Mike Quade; the season series vs. the Mets is now tied 3-3 and it would be nice to win it. The Cubs did sweep an abbreviated two-game series against the Rockies at home in May.
One other note about sweeps: the Cubs have not swept the Mets since 2004. 'Bout time that changed.
Also, the Cubs will be going for their fourth win in a row. Four games is the longest winning streak the Cubs have had this year, and it has happened only twice -- from April 23-26 and again from May 16-19. In the divisional play era, only four Cubs teams (1980, 1981, 1996, 2006) have had their longest winning streak be four games. It would be nice if this team did not join that group.
One quick starting rotation note: Carlos Silva and Casey Coleman will be switched in the rotation for the Houston series. Silva will go tomorrow, Coleman on Tuesday, then Randy Wells on Wednesday.
Today's lineup via tweet from Carrie:
#Cubs lineup Sun vs #Mets: 2B Baker, SS Castro, CF Byrd, 3B Ramy, 1B Nady, LF Soriano, RF Colvin, C Soto, P Dempster
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Jon Niese started against the Cubs on April 19 in New York; he threw five decent innings, and left with the score tied 1-1. The Cubs bullpen blew the game. No current Cub has more than five at-bats against Niese.
That series in New York earlier this year was a four-game set; the only Cubs starter who did not face the Mets was Ryan Dempster. His last start vs. NY was on August 29, 2009 at Wrigley Field. As a result, with all the injuries to the Mets and the rookies they are playing, Dempster has only faced six current Mets. Carlos Beltran is 5-for-7 with a HR, the only HR any current Met has hit off him. Dempster once again goes for his 100th career victory (and 50th as a Cub).
Today's game is on WGN and SNY. Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Please visit our SB Nation Mets site Amazin' Avenue.
Today's first pitch thread will be up at noon CDT, and the overflows will post at 1 pm, 2 pm and 2:45 pm CDT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.