The Chicago Cubs finally managed to break out of their slump with an impressive offensive showing last time out. Duplicating that success doesn't figure to be easy.
In the finale of a four-game series at Citi Field, the Cubs try to win back-to-back games for only the second time this season when they face ace Johan Santana, who is coming off his best outing of the year for the New York Mets.
After plating six runs during a four-game skid, Chicago (6-9) pounded out a season-high 14 hits in Wednesday's 9-3 win. Alfonso Soriano and Marlon Byrd each drove in three runs for the Cubs, who haven't won consecutive games since April 12 and 14.
The Star-Ledger's Mets reporter Brian Costa says even though Oliver Perez gave up just two runs in the Mets 9-3 loss, his inefficiency gassed him after just five innings, and the bullpen was just bad.
Despite the poor pitching, the conversation in the comments of Costa's article turned to the lineup and David Wright. NJ.com member sec309 wrote a plea to Mets manager Jerry Manuel:
"Jerry Manuel: Please juggle the lineup. Move Wright down in the order until he heats up. You have to split up Jason Bay and Wright. Bay is leading MLB in strikeouts. I know Wright got an RBI but it was in the 9th after the game was well over...but Wright is really lost at the plate. Two swing and miss hitters in the heart of the order are killing the offense."
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