• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Cubs hope to continue offensive surge vs. Mets

Apr 22, 2008 - 10:28 AM NY Mets (10-8) at Chicago Cubs (13-6) 2:20 pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) - The Chicago Cubs' offense was merely average in 2007, leading to their quick postseason demise. Through 19 games this season, a repeat performance appears unlikely.

The Cubs eye their fifth straight win and a two-game sweep of the New York Mets when the teams conclude their brief series on Tuesday.

Chicago finished just 18th in the majors with 752 runs scored last season and quickly bowed out to the Arizona Diamondbacks in a three-game sweep in the National League Divisional Series, scoring just six runs in the process.

In 2008, the Cubs appear well on their way to turning the offense around as they find themselves third in the majors with 111 runs scored. They have scored at least six runs in six of their last eight games, winning seven times in that span.

Chicago used a five-run eighth inning to pull away from the Mets, 7-1, in the series opener on Monday. Ronny Cedeno had a two-out, bases-loaded single in the eighth and Felix Pie followed with a three-run homer to put the game away.

With the way Ted Lilly (0-3, 9.16 ERA) has been pitching to open the season, the Cubs may need every run they can get to extend their four-game winning streak. The lefthander, who has allowed at least four runs in each of his four starts, surrendered five runs over six innings in Thursday's 9-2 loss to Cincinnati.

The Mets will counter with Nelson Figueroa (1-0, 3.60), who hopes to continue his strong start in place of the injured Pedro Martinez. He permitted two runs and struck out seven in seven innings of the Mets' 14-inning, 3-2 win over Washington on Thursday.