By Jordan Ray
Follow along throughout the day for quick hits and tidbits form around Chicago related to today’s Game 4 National League Division Series game between the Cubs and the Cardinals.
THE LOCAL TAVERN MOOD AFTER THE NLDS CLINCH
LONELY AT THE CARDINALS BAR
Reported by Nick Zazulia
The unusual start time of today’s game — 3:37 p.m. — may not have been ideal for bars outside of Wrigleyville that cater to pre-game socializing. At 3:15 p.m., Tavern on Little Fort, a popular Cardinals bar in North Center was relatively empty.
“Friday and Saturday were nuts,” Tavern on Little Fort co-owner Mike Jannusch said. “This game start sucks, but [attendance will] get going.”
Sure enough, Cardinals fans began slowly trickling in as the game started.
When St. Louis left fielder Stephen Piscotty hit his two-run homer in the first inning, the half-dozen strong crowd roared their appreciation, seemingly oblivious to the empty seats around them.
“I grew up about 2 to 3 hours from St. Louis,” said Austin Zerkle, who has been living in Chicago for six years. “Being a Cardinals fan around here, honestly, is pretty okay because there are Cardinal bars like this. It’s a big city, so you can find places.”
A Cubs homer made it clear that there weren’t just Cardinals fans in attendance. Kelly Tino, a Cubs fan, wandered in not realizing it was hostile territory.
“I just knew this bar, and thought that we’d be able to get in,” Tino said. “I knew a lot of places would be packed.”
She was surprised to be greeted by a chorus of laughter upon her entrance, when she learned the bar’s nature.
“I dont like it. I don’t like it at all! I came out for the spirit, and you don’t really get that at a Cardinals bar,” Tino said with a laugh. “Everybody seems pretty friendly, though.”
KEEPING UP WITH THE HASHTAGS
Past 24 hours: 4,604 #FlyTheW | 2,132 #12inSTL For more #Cubs coverage http://t.co/U7HBvFR79r @hashtracking pic.twitter.com/uAKYLeW04C
— Medill Reports (@MedillChicago) October 13, 2015
GAME CEREMONIES
Former Cubs All Star pitcher Kerry Wood will throw the first pitch at today’s game, Chicago Tribune reporter Luis Gomez tweeted this afternoon. He also reported that the Cubs will use a video of Harry Caray during the seventh-inning stretch.
Cubs tell me Kerry Wood will throw first pitch before today’s game and video of Harry Caray will be used during the 7th Inning Stretch.
— Luis Gomez (@TribLuis) October 13, 2015
NOTABLE NUMBERS
0: The number of times the Cubs have clinched a playoff series at home.
0.93: The ERA of Cardinals pitcher John Lackey in his four starts against the Cubs this year. Lackey is expected to make the start for St. Louis tonight.
11: The number of World Series titles the Cardinals have won since the Cubs won their last one in 1908.
12: The number of years the Cubs had gone without a home playoff game win before last night.
100: The number of counterfeit tickets seized at Monday night’s game, according to Crain’s Chicago Business.
$115: The cheapest cost for a standing-room only ticket for Game 4, according to StubHub.
$10,000: The highest cost of an outfield terrace box ticket for Game 4, according to StubHub.
$132,053,951: The combined payroll of the Cardinals’ players, according to Spotrac.
$133,194,000: The combined payroll of Cubs players, according to Spotrac.
