No one knows when Houston’s Roger Clemens will pitch at Wrigley Field, or if Boston’s Matt Clement will be on the mound to face his former teammates at Wrigley in June.
But the Cubs’ series against the Astros and defending champion Red Sox are expected to be snapped up quickly Friday when tickets go on sale, as fans speculate which games will be can’t-miss affairs.
Ryne Sandberg Day (Aug. 28), Moises Alou’s return with the Giants (July 25) and the always interesting Crosstown Classic in July are among the most anticipated dates this season.
Here’s our pick for the top five series to circle on the 2005 Cubs calendar:
Boston, June 10-12
Boston’s first interleague series against the Cubs is likely to match the Cubs-Yankees series in 2003 as the biggest event of the regular season. Clement could pitch in one of the games, perhaps against one of his best buds, Mark Prior or Kerry Wood. And Nomar Garciaparra welcomes his former team to his new House.
White Sox, May 20-22 (the dates as published have been corrected in this text)
Dusty vs. Ozzie is worth the price of admission itself. The White Sox love to beat the Cubs for obvious reasons. The Cubs swept the Sox at Wrigley last year, including the rain-delayed game that was called in the sixth inning. Sox fans are still upset about that one, naturally.
St. Louis, Aug. 11-14
A four-game weekend series in the hottest part of the summer usually brings out the best and worst of those long-time protagonists, Baker and Tony La Russa. Add Matt Morris and Kerry Wood to the picture, put Mark Grudzielanek in a Cardinals uniform, and all the ingredients are there for another wild one.
Florida, Aug. 26-28
Even though only six Cubs remain from the 2003 postseason roster, the return of the Marlins to Wrigley always will conjure up memories of what might have been. The retirement of Sandberg’s number before the finale figures to be one of the year’s most emotional moments.
Houston, Sept. 23-25
Imagine Roger Clemens vs. Greg Maddux with the Central Division title on the line in the final week. Or Roy Oswalt facing Michael Barrett with the tying runs on base in the bottom of the ninth of the rubber game? If the rivalry remains as nasty as it was in 2004, and both teams are fighting for a playoff spot, fireworks are a distinct possibility.
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Cubs tickets
Single-game tickets go on sale at 8 a.m. Friday using a random wristband system. Wristbands were distributed Wednesday and Thursday and the drawing was scheduled for 6 a.m. (800-THE-CUBS).
