The New York Mets defeated the Chicago Cubs by a score of 8-3 tonight at Wrigley Field. With the victory, the Mets have won the National League pennant, and will advance to the World Series for the first time since 2000.
This year has certainly had its ups and downs. The eleven game winning streak to begin the year, the struggles before the all-star break, Wilmer Flores‘ tears to being a hero, the addition of Yoenis Cespedes, overtaking the Nationals for first place, and clinching their first division title since 2006, then the emotional victory against the Dodgers after Ruben Tejada broke his leg on a late slide from Chase Utley, it seemed like this was a team of destiny.
With the win over the Cubs, the Mets now have one more hill to climb, but with what they’ve shown thus far, I think this team is going all the way. You gotta believe!
Offense:
The Mets got to Cubs’ starter Jason Hammel early, as they put up a four spot in the first inning on the strength of back-to-back home runs from Lucas Duda and Travis d’Arnaud.
In the second inning, the Mets tacked on two more runs on a double from Lucas Duda, who accumulated five RBI’s on the game.
Cubs’ starter Jason Hammel lasted just 1.1 innings, as he was tagged for five runs on four hits, while striking out two and walking one.
The Mets would keep a 6-1 lead until the eighth inning, when Daniel Murphy made history, as he homered in his sixth consecutive postseason game, a major league record.
That Murphy, who is just so hot right now, continued his impressive showing in appropriate fashion tonight, going 4-for-5, and effectively putting the nail in the coffin for the Cubs’ season.
Pitching:
Long Island native Steven Matz got the start for the Mets, and though he didn’t pitch bad, he lasted only 4.2 innings, allowing one run on four hits, while striking out four and walking two.
Bartolo Colon and Addison Reed combined to pitch 2.1 scoreless innings, before handing the ball off to Tyler Clippard for the eighth.
Clippard had a bit of a shaky performance, allowing a two run home run to Kris Bryant to trim the Mets lead to 8-3 at the time, but was able to gut his way through the inning without throwing any more gas on the fire.
Jeurys Familia, the go-to guy all season, closed the game out for the Mets in a non-save situation, which was followed by a huge celebration on the field!
On deck:
The Mets will begin the World Series starting Tuesday night away against the American League champion, who is still to be determined.
What an incredible season! Four more wins, Mets fans! We can do this!
