Scoreboard watching has taken on a whole new meaning since the introduction of the “wild card” into pennant races in 1994.
The wild card was created when the two leagues realigned into three divisions each so the division runner-up with the best record would be included in the postseason.
There were five other National League games to keep track of Sunday that had implications on the Cubs in the wild-card race. And since Randy Johnson’s arrival in Houston, the wild card may be the only realistic chance the Cubs have to make the playoffs.
The New York Mets, San Francisco and Los Angeles were all within spitting distance of the Cubs on Sunday morning, while Milwaukee and Philadelphia weren’t too far behind.
With seven weeks left in the season, here’s a brief wild-card primer–teams to keep an eye on in the Cubs’ “Wild Card or Bust” run to October.
New York Mets
Former Cub Brian McRae said during New York’s trip to Chicago on July 24 that the Mets should be considered the favorite in the wild-card race because of their superior pitching. With Armando Reynoso (3-0) pitching well since his return from the disabled list, the Mets have seven quality starters, including Bobby Jones, Al Leiter and Hideo Nomo.
’98 vs. Cubs: Mets won 5 of 9 games, with none remaining.
Pitching/hitting: (Through Saturday) Ranked second in NL with 3.48 earned-run average; sixth in hitting with .263 average; 11th in runs with 508; 14th in home runs with 85.
Cubs-Mets history: No season in Cubs history had as many ups and downs as 1969, when the Cubs blew a 9 1/2-game lead over the Mets and finished eight games out. The Cubs got some revenge in 1984 but still have no World Series appearance in the last 53 years while the Mets have gone three times, winning in 1969 and 1986.
Ex-Cub factor: McRae is having a red-hot second half. Reliever Turk Wendell has come on after a rough start, and Mel Rojas hasn’t been lit up in weeks.
Comment: If the Mets make the wild card and the Cubs falter down the stretch, former Mets pitcher and current Cubs General Manager Ed Lynch will have a long and unenjoyable winter.
San Francisco Giants
Though the Giants have no star power outside of Barry Bonds and a very average lineup, this is a team that knows how to win and has one of the top managers in Dusty Baker. Closer Robb Nen has 29 saves, making the loss of Rod Beck easier to swallow.
’98 vs. Cubs: Tied 2-2. They have five games remaining, beginning Monday with a three-game series at 3Com Park. They also play two at Wrigley Field Aug. 20-21. The Cubs and Giants split a four-game series in Chicago in May, and engaged in one of the season’s most exciting games May 8, when the Cubs scored two runs in the bottom of the 14th to win.
Pitching/hitting: Ranked seventh in NL with 4.07 ERA; fourth in hitting with .269 average; fourth in runs with 573; 12th in home runs with 94.
Cubs-Giants history: The Giants beat the Cubs 4 games to 1 in the 1989 playoffs, the last time the Cubs were in the postseason. The Cubs’ last world championship occurred in 1908, when they finished a game ahead of the New York Giants.
Ex-Cub factor: Shawon Dunston joined the Giants in a trade from Cleveland, reteaming with Rey Sanchez, who took Dunston’s place at short with the Cubs when Dunston went to the Giants as a free agent in ’96. Dunston would like nothing better than to join McRae, Amaury Telemaco and Kent Bottenfield in the Class of ’97 Cubs who have returned to beat their former team in the stretch drive.
Comment: The Giants’ postseason experience, plus the time-frozen competitor named Orel Hershiser, should keep them in the race all season long. But the pitching is average at best, and Bonds has been known to disappear in crunch time.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Mike Piazza trade seems like eons ago, and the reconstructed Dodgers are finally beginning to spring to life. Is it too little, too late?
’98 vs. Cubs: Dodgers won 5 of 9 games, with none remaining.
Pitching/hitting: Ranked sixth in NL with 3.79 ERA; 13th in hitting with .253 average; 12th in runs with 498; 8th in home runs with 112.
Cubs-Dodgers history: Sandy Koufax threw a perfect game against the Cubs in 1965. They have been rivals since 1890, and are traditionally one of the biggest draws at Wrigley Field.
Ex-Cub factor: None.
Comment: No team has wheeled and dealed like the Dodgers this year. But did too much wheeling and dealing affect the clubhouse chemistry for better, or for worse?
Milwaukee Brewers
This team has no right being in the playoff hunt, statistically speaking, but the more the Cubs struggle, the longer the Brewers stick around.
’98 vs. Cubs: Brewers have won 4 of 7. They have five games remaining–a three-game series in Wrigley Sept. 11-13, and two in County Stadium Sept. 22-23.
Pitching/hitting: Ranked 10th in NL pitching with 4.33 ERA; 11th in hitting with .258 average; 10th in runs with 510; ninth in home runs with 104.
Cubs-Brewers history: They only began playing each other last season and the rivalry is already strong, as evidenced by the huge crowd at County Stadium last month.
Ex-Cub factor: Darrin Jackson had a stop on the North Side early during his world tour, which has also included stops on the South Side and in Japan.
Comment: No chance. No way. No how.
Philadelphia Phillies
Soon to be extinguished.
’98 vs. Cubs: Phillies won 6 of 9 with no games remaining.
Pitching/hitting: Ranked 13th in NL pitching with 4.77 ERA; fifth in hitting with .269 average; eighth in runs with 518; 13th in home runs with 90.
Cubs-Phillies history: Cubs-Phillies means mucho offense, like a 26-23 Cubs win at Cubs Park in 1922 and a 23-22 Phillies win at Wrigley Field in 1979.
Ex-Cub factor: Doug Glanville has been among the top three in the National League in hits for most of the second half.
Comment: Teams like Philadelphia (56-59) still hanging in the race is why some fans have never liked the wild-card concept in the first place.
