Vitters debuts, Cubs playing spoiler

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Spoiler alert: The Cubs arent going to make this playoffs this year.

OK, theres no surprise or secret to that statement, but the Cubs hope to play spoilers as they play out the final 52 games of their season.

Thursdays 5-3 come-from-behind win against NL Central-leading Cincinnati was a nice start after eight straight losses. Ruining other teams October plans is the only thing the Cubs can accomplish this season other than develop their young players. And it might even help with the latter. Playing spoiler is fun.

"To knock people out of the playoffswhen you're not in the pennant race, those are the things you play for as a player, Cubs manager Dale Sveum said Friday.

Its another day, another debut for the Cubs on Friday against the Reds. Third baseman Josh Vitters makes his Wrigley Field debut and bats sixth, behind Alfonso Soriano and in front of center fielder Brett Jackson, who debuted last weekend in Los Angeles.

Vitters is just 1 for 10 with a double in four games, but thats about average for a first few days in the big leagues.

"When you've got young guys on the team, you're going to go through some tough times, Sveum said. But they have to play. There's only a select few people that step into the big leagues that just dominate or even do well.

First baseman Anthony Rizzo, with his nine home runs and 24 RBI in just 27 games, might seem to be one of those guys, but Rizzo had a horrid first few months after being called up by San Diego last year.

All the Cubs young players are playing to prove themselves day in and day out. And though thats big-time pressure, the fun of playing spoiler might take off some of the edge.

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