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Cubs-Mets Preview

Sep 5, 2009 - 10:54 PM By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer

Chicago (67-66) at New York (61-74), 1:10 p.m. EDT

As the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets play out the season, both clubs are looking for bright spots. Chicago certainly has one in Randy Wells.

Wells can take over the NL lead for wins by a rookie Sunday when the Cubs and Mets finish a three-game series at Citi Field.

While it appears likely Chicago (68-66) won't be able to win a third straight NL Central division title, the Cubs have received a boost from Wells. Chicago has won 10 of his last 15 outings entering his first career start against the Mets (61-75).

The right-hander is tied with Philadelphia's J.A. Happ for the NL lead in wins by a rookie. He became the first Cubs rookie to win 10 games since Kerry Wood in 1998 by allowing one unearned run over 6 2-3 innings Tuesday in a 4-1 victory over Houston.

"I would've said that would be great, realistically I probably would've laughed at you. It's nice and rewarding, I can't lie," Wells said. "Just thinking at my career, my past and the road I took to get here it's nice to be recognized."

The right-hander has dropped consecutive starts on the road, where he is 4-3 with a 2.67 ERA in 10 outings.

New York is also looking to the future, and catcher Josh Thole has started two of the last three games. Thole had two hits in Saturday's 5-3 loss, giving him four in his first two big league contests.

"He works hard, and when you tell him something, he doesn't blow it off," catcher Brian Schneider told the Mets' Web site about Thole. "He does ask questions, and you can tell by what he asks what he knows and that he wants to learn."

Chicago evened this series Saturday when Derrek Lee homered twice and drove in three runs. Lee missed the previous two games to be with his wife after she gave birth to their second child.

"Derrek, obviously, was the main attraction today," manager Lou Piniella said, "and it was nice to have him back."

Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez added a two-run homer. Ramirez is hitting .300 with 11 RBIs in his last 10 games.

Second baseman Luis Castillo has four hits in this series and Cory Sullivan has homered in both games for New York, which has dropped 10 of 14.

Mets starter Mike Pelfrey (9-10, 5.03) will face the Cubs for the first time as he tries to avoid a third straight loss. Pelfrey has pitched poorly after the All-Star break, going 2-6 with a 6.10 ERA in nine starts.

The 6-foot-7 right-hander gave up seven runs over four innings Tuesday in an 8-3 loss at Colorado.

Pelfrey is 5-3 with a 3.80 ERA in 14 starts at home this year.