Ordinarily, one doesn’t mess with the classics unless you are Weird Al Yankovic, then you have de facto poetic license. As I was leaving Wrigley this afternoon, I edited “Go Cubs Go….replacing Cubs are going to win today with Mets just lost 11th in a row today.

While the Mets aren’t my problem I do have deep thoughts about what’s ailing them. First and foremost, owner Steve Cohen should have mastered Strat O Matic or APBA before pumping billions into the Mets. He’s really not that good at this owner thing. Second, manager Carlos Mendoza made some questionable pitching decisions the last two days. Third, this newly assembled coaching staff is a joke, but to paraphrase Taylor Swift, “Players gotta play.” This collection of stars has failed miserably which only magnifies Mendoza’s failings.

It was fitting that former Cub and Met pitcher Ray Burris sang “Take me out” today because it felt like my youth, cold and intermittent sunshine. While I stopped in one of my favorite haunts for a pregame pop, I opted to give Wrigley food services a shot with mixed resul

My seat was on the cusp of a wind tunnel and sunshine, so I wasn’t surprised that the Cubs and Mets played to a 1-1 draw through 9. Mendoza went with an opener; Tobias Myers who pitched two shutout innings before being replaced by bulk starter David Peterson who strung together another 3+ shutout innings. For his part, Cub starter, Javier Assad only gave up one earned run on a solo shot by MJ Melendez in the 5th. Until the bottom of the 9th when the Cubs tied the game, both bullpens were pretty solid, if not a little shaky (Mets that is).

The Cubs blew a few opportunities to score with some iffy baserunning. Pete Crow-Armstrong tripled to lead off the 3rd inning but failed to score because he was carelessly doubled off. The next time up, he was hit by a pitch and was thrown out attempting to steal second.

What didn’t surprise me about the afternoon was the quiet Met fans. Until the top of the 9th, the folks in my section hadn’t started barking. New Yorkers are usually not shy about letting you know they’re in the house and don’t let things like won-loss records or standings get in the way.

Last season, Craig Counsell took a hit for some of his moves and rightfully so. However, the past few games has shown him to be an adept manipulator of the lineup. He’s not been afraid to make some interesting in-game substitutions. Right now each of his decisions to pinch-hit has worked. Whether he’s playing hunches or is basing everything on the numbers, he’s looking very clever.

The Cubs finally scratched out a run to tie the game in the 9th when two of his moves paid off. He pinch ran Scott Kingery for Ian Happ and pinch-hit Michael Conforto for Matt Shaw who had successfully pinch hit for Moises Ballesteros.

In a recent post I suggested that it would be fitting if former Met, Conforto hit two homers today to beat New York. While he only doubled in the tying run, former Cub, Craig Kimbrel crapped down the leg of his pants and Kimbreled away the game.

As sure as I was that Happ would get a hit off alleged closer, Devin Williams, I knew that Kimbrel would flop like the Edsel. When he pitched for the Cubs, I would break out in hives.

In an odd scheduling quirk, the Cubs will have the chance to continue their mastery over former NL East rivals as the Phillies come to town tomorrow.