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The New York Mets will try to wrap up their impressive first half Friday night by getting a bit of revenge on the Chicago Cubs, the worst team in baseball. It was less than two weeks ago the lowly Cubs embarrassed the Mets by taking two of three and sending them on their longest losing streak of the season (4).
Leading the charge for New York in the first game of the series will be Johan Santana (6-4, 2.76). Santana tossed six solid innings against the Cubs back on June 25, but the Mets couldn't get out of their own way and ended up turning their lefty into a tough luck loser.
The Mets offense will attempt to solve 24-year-old Travis Wood, the Cubs right hander that shut down New York over seven shutout innings, leading to the loss for Santana.
Judging by Santana's performance Saturday against the Dodgers -- no runs over eight innings -- the New York bats shouldn't have to provide too many run to kick off the series with a win. If David Wright's recent tear is any indication, offense shouldn't be a problem.
Wright pounded the ball all over the field in Thursday night's 5-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. He drove in four runs, including the game winning RBI in the bottom of the ninth inning off Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon.
It should be noted, though, that the Cubs aren't likely to go quietly into the night. After taking two of three from the Mets, Chicago won seven of nine, including a three game sweep of the Houston Astros.
You can watch all the action locally on SNY or listen on WFAN 660 with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m.