Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Chicago Cubs : News : Prior to start Cubs' final home game
Last chance to see Wrigley this year. It's on WGN, 2:20 EST.

Mark Prior will make his final start of the season in the Cubs' final home game on Wednesday against the Pirates.

The last time Prior faced the Bucs, on July 14, he struck out 10 batters and held Pittsburgh to one run -- unearned -- on two hits over eight innings.

The Cubs are 37-42 at Wrigley Field this year. Only once has the team has finished above .500 overall with a losing record at home. In 1995, the Cubs were 73-71 despite a 34-38 record at Wrigley Field.

Derrek Lee is trying to become the first Cub to win a National League batting title since Bill Buckner did so in 1980. The last Cub to finish in the top five in the batting race was Mark Grace, who hit .331, good for fifth in the NL in 1996.

The Cubs will wrap up their season at Houston in a four-game series starting Thursday. The Astros, leaders in the Wild Card race, have been cleared to host the series after Hurricane Rita spared the city from serious damage.