BASEBALL: Cubs at Mets

I'm throwing a bone to my friends who love the blue and orange of their NY Mets. Big things are expected from the Mets this year and indeed they have a very good team. On the other hand, the Cubs suck. It's hard to believe that just 3 years ago many expected Dusty Baker to take the Cubs to the promised land. But today's day game is interesting for a couple of reasons, so I'm making it the one to watch.

Mark Prior will pitch for the Cubs. Remember when this guy was untouchable? I sure do. He mowed down the Braves big bats in the 2003 playoffs. The Twins now look brilliant for surprisingly selecting a kid named Joe Mauer ahead of Prior at the top of the 2002 baseball amatuer draft. Prior has (again) been on-and-off the DL all year and has compiled an 0-4 record with a woeful 8.14 ERA! He's a symbol of the Cubs collpase ever since Bartman caught that fly ball.

For the Mets, rookie John Maine will take the mound. Maine is 1-3 with a decent 3.12 ERA in limited work this year. He's a 25 year-old prospect who they picked up in the Kris Benson deal. In his last start Maine pitched 9 scoreless innings. With the Mets starters looking a little old and shaky, it's rumored that Maine is being showcased to be traded for someone more established. But another strong performance today might just earn him a shot at keeping the 5th starter spot himself.

My pick: Chicago. Did you really expect anything else? Prior turns back the clock and pitches 8 scoreless with 12 K's. Well, maybe not. But I think the Cubs win a shootout with pitcher Carlos Zambrano hitting another game-winning HR while pinch hitting in the 9th!

Now let's turn once again to that wonderful source of T&A exciting sports competition, beach volleyball, and take a look at 2004 Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh.