Cubs look forward to NLCS Game 3 at Wrigley Field after loss to Mets
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Chicago Cubs are looking forward to coming home to Wrigley Field for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series after their 4-1 loss to the New York Mets.
The Mets took an early lead in Game 2 and they held onto it.
Sunday night was a chilly night at Citi Field. Cubs Pitcher Jake Arrieta had barely warmed up when Daniel Murphy homered - a two-run drive.
Mets Pitcher Noah Syndergaard kept the Cubs from scoring until the sixth inning. New York now leads the series 2-0.
"We've got work to do. But the good thing is we get to go home, play three games in Wrigley Field and come out ready to go, which we will be. Two tough games here. But the series is not over. We feel good about where we're at," Arrieta said after the game.
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"I think it'll be good. Wrigley will be ready to go. Our fans will be ready to go. I know we will be. So will the Mets. So, we just gotta come out and play good baseball," said Anthony Rizzo, Cubs first baseman.
Cubs Manager Joe Maddon insists he has lost no confidence in his offense, saying they are focused on one-game winning streaks at this point.
"Listen, it's never going to be easy this time of the year. They are good. We know that. We are also very good. We just have to string together some more at-bats. The home run is a big part of our offense. They kind of negated that a bit here. You just gotta turn the page, move it along," Maddon said.
Cubs fans are hanging on to hope Monday morning. They may be disappointed, but they haven't lost faith. Die-hard fans are ready to re-energize their team at Wrigley Field Tuesday night.
"It's all about the home games. We have the next three home games and then that fourth game is all ours too," Britney Roberts said.
"We're coming home. I think that the energy's going to be way different, you know? I think we need that Chicago energy. We need this win," Kelly Hanifl said.
The cheapest tickets for Game 3 are going for around $167. If fans want a seat, it'll cost them around $225. The good news is those prices are lower than last week.
The Cubs return to Chicago Monday afternoon for a workout. Kyle Hendricks will throw the first pitch for NLCS Game 3 at Wrigley Field, which will be at 7:07 p.m. Tuesday.
The Mets will counter with rookie Jacob deGrom, who lost to the Cubs twice this season.
CUBS NLCS SCHEDULE:
NLCS Game 1 - Saturday, Oct. 17
Cubs 1, Mets 4
NLCS Game 2 - Sunday, Oct. 18
Cubs 1, Mets 4 - Mets lead series 2-0
NLCS Game 3 - Tuesday, Oct. 20 @ 7:07 p.m. CT
Mets @ Cubs
NLCS Game 4 - Wednesday, Oct. 21 @ 7:07 p.m. CT
Mets @ Cubs
NLCS Game 5* - Thursday, Oct. 22 @ 7:07 p.m. CT
Mets @ Cubs
NLCS Game 6* - Saturday, Oct. 24
Cubs @ Mets
NLCS Game 7* - Sunday, Oct. 25
Cubs @ Mets
*if necessary.
PARKING RESTRICTIONS AND SAFETY
The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications asked fans to be mindful of the community surrounding Wrigley Field and to celebrate the playoff series safely.
OEMC officials reminded fans of full-day parking restrictions in the city's Wrigleyville neighborhood on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
-Clark from Belmont to Irving Park Road, both sides of the street
-Sheffield from Belmont to Irving Park Road, both sides of the street
-Addison from Halsted to Southport, both sides of the street
-Racine Ave. from Grace to Belmont, both sides of the street
-Cornelia Ave. from Halsted to Sheffield, both sides of the street
-Wilton Ave. from Cornelia to Addison, both sides of the street
Alderman Tom Tunney (44th Ward) said flyers posted along the street in Chicago's Wrigleyville neighborhood will help drivers avoid getting parking tickets or worse - having their vehicles towed.
"What are always highly congested, little parking spaces for the neighborhood, is going to get worse over the next couple of days," Tunney said.
If vehicles are towed, fans should call 311 for help.
Wrigleyville Dogs has a marquee with a huge parking sign. A spot in that lot costs about $40 during the regular season. An employee said for Tuesday night's game, the price could be anywhere from $80-$100.
Fans who need to hail taxis should head to the corner of West Addison Street and North Racine Avenue or to the corner of Addison and North Halsted Street. Limos and car services should pick up passengers along West Irving Park Road between North Clark Street and North Seminary Avenue.
The Cubs are offering free remote parking at 3900 North Rockwell Street during the postseason. Free shuttle service is available to and from Wrigley Field, which begins 3.5 hours before the game begins and ends about one hour after the game ends.
OEMC officials also recommended using public transportation to get to and from the game. Fans can use the Red Line to get to the Addison and Sheridan stations, which are closest to Wrigley Field. The CTA will provide extra service on the #80 Irving Park and #152 Addison route. Fans may also take the #8 Halsted and #22 Clark buses. Each night there is a playoff game, Yellow Line shuttle buses will operate until 12 a.m. from Howard, officials said.
Fans can get the latest CTA updates online at www.transitchicago.com or by phone at 1-888-YOUR-CTA. The latest Metra updates can be found online at www.metrarail.com or by phone at 836-7000. The Regional Transportation Authority's Trip Planner is also a good resource. Visit www.rtachicago.org for more information.
Chicago police said open alcohol is prohibited on the street and sidewalk. Fines can reach $1,000. In case of extreme weather, fans can subscribe to alerts at www.notifychicago.org.
Officials also said if anyone sees anything suspicious, they should report it. Call 911 for emergencies or 855-RPRT- 2S4 (855-777-8274), the toll-free number for "If You See Something, Say Something" in Chicago, for non-emergencies.
"We're on pins and needles both inside the ballpark and of course, us, who are keeping the neighborhood safe," Tunney said.
Cubs fans can show team spirit with Chicago sports team license plates
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is reminding Chicago Cubs fans that they can support their team and public education by purchasing Cubs license plates for their vehicles.
"With the team in the National League Championship Series, this is a great time to get a Cubs license plate," White said. "It's a win-win situation. Chicago Cubs fans can show their team spirit and public school students across the state will benefit from the purchase."
Twenty-five dollars from each license plate sale and renewal goes to the Professional Sports Teams Education Fund and is earmarked for the Common School Fund, which supports public schools throughout the state of Illinois.
Fans can order random number, personalized or vanity license plates. The cost to purchase random number plates for a currently titled vehicle with valid Illinois registration is $69. Pricing varies for vanity and personalized license plates. The public can order vanity and personalized plates by visiting www.cyberdriveillinois.com and clicking on the "Pick-A-Plate" icon.
