The New York Mets defeated the Chicago Cubs by a score of 5-2 in Game 3 of the NLCS on Tuesday night at Wrigley field. The Mets hold a commanding 3-0 lead over the Chicago Cubs and find themselves one game away from punching their ticket into the World Series.
Pitching:
Jacob deGrom again gutted his way through yet another elite performance and picked up his third win of the postseason. He did not have his best stuff yet again and had trouble locating his fastball in the first inning throwing 29 pitches, but settled in nicely for the rest of the game. On a night where he struggled with his command, deGrom still was able to strike out seven while allowing two runs, and giving up a total of four hits while walking one.
Both runs given up by the Mets ace came in the form of solo home-run’s by Kyle Schwarber and Jorge Soler. Jacob pitched 100 total pitches on the night, 66 of which were for strikes.
Tyler Clippard came on for relief in the eighth and pitched a scoreless inning of his own while allowing one hit while striking out one. Jeurys Familia entered in the ninth and pick himself up another postseason save, retiring the Chicago Cubs in order and putting them on the brink of elimination.
Offense:
Daniel Murphy. What else can even be said at this point? His postseason play has been borderline ridiculous for this team and he just continues to perform in so many aspects. Murphy led off the scoring for the Mets by delivering his fifth consecutive postseason game with a home-run, tying former Met, Carlos Beltran.
The Yo show, Yoenis Cespedes returned to play as well having a nice night for himself, going 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI’s on the night. Lucas Duda picked himself up an RBI with heads up base running by Murphy, who went on contact on the first basemen’s ground out to his counterpart, Anthony Rizzo.
Captain David Wright found himself a bit at the plate himself in game 3, going 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored. If Cespedes and Wright continue to heat up, this team is going to be dangerous as they look to punch their ticket into the World Series tomorrow night.
Notes:
Well Mets fans, this is it. We’ve been waiting 15 years to come back here and and 29 years to win another. The Mets are now just one win away from punching their ticket to the World Series and becoming the 2015 National League Champions. This is surreal to say the least.
Tonight was the Mets first win at Wrigley field since May 19th of 2013. They picked a good night to get that first win in two years in Chicago.
On Deck:
We head to Game 4 tomorrow night where the Mets will look to sweep the NLCS and eliminate the Chicago Cubs. The Mets will look to reach their first World Series since the year 2000.
The Metropolitans will send LHP Steven Matz (0-1, 5.40 ERA) to the mound as he is opposed by Cubs RHP Jason Hammel (0-0, 6.00 ERA).
