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NEW YORK -- The New York Mets feel far better about themselves midway through a four-game series against the Chicago Cubs than they did beforehand.However, the Mets and Cubs both know how quickly things can change before the series ends Sunday.The Mets will look to win their third straight against the Cubs on Saturday night when the teams meet at Citi Field. New York hit five homers Friday in a 10-2 win marred by three rain delays.Its baseball, and theres nights where the good teams get beat, Mets manager Terry Collins said. We had two well-pitched games. Weve held that team down. Theyve got a very, very good team, and weve got to continue to play well.The Mets (42-37) scored just 13 runs in the six games prior to Thursdays series opener, but they outscored the Cubs by a total of 14-5 the past two nights.I realize that its the gloomiest days when you lose here, or if you lose two or three in a row, its very hard to deal with, Collins said. But its a long year, and you can have some up times as well.The Cubs (51-28) have spent most of the year enjoying those up times, but they are just 12-13 since June 5 and 4-8 in their past 12 games.Chicago remains 10 games ahead of the second-place St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central, but the Cubs are only 1 1/2 games ahead of the San Francisco Giants (51-31) in the race for the NLs best record and are in a virtual tie with the Texas Rangers (52-29) for the best record in baseball.Not surprisingly, perpetually upbeat Cubs manager Joe Maddon chose to look on the bright side Friday.Im very happy with where were at, Maddon said. We talked about getting off to a good start so that we can absorb some tough moments. The tough moment for us right now is playing .500. Not bad.Its also easier for a manager to remain optimistic when he has the reigning Cy Young Award winner and an ace left-hander ready to start the next two games. Jake Arrieta, who is 12-2 record and 2.10 ERA, is scheduled to start Saturdays game against Mets right-hander Bartolo Colon (6-4, 2.86 ERA).Veteran Jon Lester (9-3, 2.03) is scheduled to pitch the series finale Sunday afternoon against Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard (8-3, 2.49).Its the power of 24 hours, Maddon said. Weve got two good pitchers coming up and a chance to split the series.Arrieta will be looking to snap out of a mini-skid Saturday. Over his past two starts, Arrieta allowed seven runs (six earned) and issued nine walks in 10 innings.In five career starts against the Mets, Arrieta is 2-1 with a 1.82 ERA.Colon, the oldest player in baseball at 43, is 3-1 with a 1.80 ERA in his past seven starts. He is 0-2 with a 3.89 ERA in six career starts against the Cubs, who are one of just two teams -- along with the Arizona Diamondbacks -- that Colon has never beaten. Cheap Rickey Henderson Jersey . 9. 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Note: The Calgary Flames announced Tuesday that Sean Monahan would not be made available to Canadas World Junior team.Australia captain Cameron Smith accepts he will almost certainly wear the green and gold for the last time on English soil this weekend but insists he is not ready to call a halt to his career. The 33-year-old Melbourne hooker will win his 49th cap for the Kangaroos in Sundays Ladbrokes Four Nations final against New Zealand at Anfield, where he will be hoping to preserve an unbeaten record in the UK.I drew one in 2009 at the Stoop against New Zealand - I scored the try with two minutes to go, Smith said. Hopefully that record stays intact. I was aware before we left Australia that this could be the last time I play for Australia in the UK.Thats why I was really looking forward to the game last weekend against England [at the London Stadium]. I always enjoy playing up against England. It was nice to go there and play well and just savour the moment.It was a beautiful stadium, a beautiful day and we got a good result. Thats why I held the team back from leaving the sheds for quite a while. Six months half price Upgrade to Sky Sports to watch Man Utd v Arsenal on Saturday and get the first six months half price Smith overtook coach Mal Meningas total of 46 appearances in Australias 14-8 win over the Kiwis at the Ricoh Arena earlier this month and now only his predecessor, Darren Lockyer, stands in front of him with 59 caps.Smith will move a step closer to Lockyers record when Australia host the 2017 World Cup and, unlike team-mate Johnathan Thurston, he has no intention of placing an end date on his international career.I think Ill just carry on playing, he added. I havent really looked to the future and put an end date on my representative career.dddddddddddd Its a huge year next year, having a World Cup on home soil.I played in the World Cup in 2008 back home when we lost and that was a pretty shallow feeling, losing that trophy in front of our home crowd.I want to give myself every opportunity to be involved in that next year and after that tournaments finished theres a whole off season to think about continuing on the following year. Im still contracted to the [Melbourne] Storm in 2018. Ill probably think about that after next year. Australia dump out England Hosts England eliminated from Four Nations after defeat to Australia Smith rejected Meningas offer to sit out the opening victory against Scotland and says he is enjoying the game as much as ever.Its a bit more difficult now because Ive got three young kids and my wife at home and its hard to leave those guys for six weeks, he said. I love spending time with my family.But as far as playing and being around the team and playing in great stadiums and having victories, its still as enjoyable as when I started back in 2006.Im still excited to get a jersey and have my name read out at the start of each week when Mal names the team. I still feel great. I feel Im as strong and fit as Ive ever been in my whole career.Upgrade to Sky Sports now to watch Man Utd v Arsenal this Saturday and get the first six months half price! Also See: Lomax to learn from experience Kiwis turning focus to Anfield Cronk: Kiwis still the best Rugby League video ' ' '