The New York Mets (44-37) completed a four-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs (51-30) this afternoon by demolishing them by the final score of 14-3. For a full boxscore recap follow the link below…

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2016_07_03_chnmlb_nynmlb_1#game=2016_07_03_chnmlb_nynmlb_1,game_tab=box,game_state=Wrapup

Game Notes:

• Wilmer Flores had a game of a lifetime going 6-6 while hitting 2 HR’s and driving in 4.
• Curtis Granderson was 2-4 with a solo HR and an RBI single.
• Kelly Johnson was 2-2 with a pinch-hit 2-run HR.
• Rene Rivera was 2-4 with a 2-run HR and 3 RBI’s.
• Yoenis Cespedes was 2-4 with an RBI.
• Neil Walker was 2-4 with an RBI.
• James Loney was 2-4 with an RBI.
• Noah Syndergaard fired 7 innings of 1-run ball allowing 7 hits, while walking none and striking out 8.
• The Mets belted out 22 hits today.

Well Mets fans the score speaks for itself. After the Cubs took a 1-0 lead early in the top of the first inning, it was nothing short of an ambush by the Mets for the rest of the game. It was also a historic day for the Mets in multiple ways, as Wilmer Flores became the second Met in club history to get six hits in one game. Edgardo Alfonzo is the only other player in franchise history to collect six hits in a game. The Mets also clubbed a season-high 22 hits, which also matched the franchise record for hits in a home game. The Mets had also not swept a regular season four-game series from the Cubs since June 17-20, 1985, which is another great feat that this group of players accomplished today.  The Mets are also now responsible for Jon Lester’s shortest outing of his career, as he only went 1.1 innings and gave up eight runs on nine hits. 

This Mets team is totally rejuvenated since rallying from three runs behind on Thursday night and they steamrolled the best team in baseball all weekend long. Wilmer Flores looked like Babe Ruth at the plate today as he broke out of a recent 0-14 slump, and put his best foot forward to hold off whispers of Jose Reyes taking the third base job when he arrives, possibly sometime this week. 

Noah Syndergaard also put rest to whispers about his elbow as he mowed down the Cubs lineup this afternoon without much trouble. Syndergaard had been pulled after three innings in his last start against Washington after blowing a four-run lead, and he made sure the Cubs weren’t sniffing any sort of comeback, as he retired eleven straight batters at one point. 

The Mets seemed to play with a chip on their shoulder all weekend. All we have been talking about is how the Mets season may be doomed with this homestand, and how good the Cubs are coming into Citi Field. The Mets seemed to remember who the defending National League Champions are and took it to the Cubs. They have now won eight straight against the Cubs dating back to last year’s NLCS. 

The Mets still have a lot of work left to be done on this difficult homestand, as they welcome the Miami Marlins in for three games beginning tomorrow. The Mets and Marlins are neck and neck in the NL East standings for second place, and each team will try to further distance themselves from one another over the next three games. I have faith however this rejuvenated team can get the job done as the morale seems to be as high as it has been all season. Let’s go Mets!

• The Mets and Marlins will do battle for a late-afternoon 4th of July contest tomorrow afternoon with first pitch scheduled for 4:10 pm et. Tomorrow’s game can be seen on SNY.

• Matt Harvey (4-10, 4.55 ERA) will make the start for the Mets and oppose Marlins right-hander Tom Koehler (6-7, 4.45 ERA).

Chicago Cubs (51-29):

 

New York Mets (43-37):

SP: Noah Syndergaard RHP (8-3, 2.49 ERA)

Today’s game can be seen on SNY and MLB Network.

Game Notes:

CUBS-METS NOTES: New York has won three straight regular season games vs. the Cubs and seven straight (including postseason)…The Mets have won the first three games of this series…The last time New York swept Chicago in a four-game series was June 17-20, 1985 at Shea Stadium.

START WITH A BANG: The Mets have 18 homers in the first frame this year, tied with Houston for the most in the majors… The Mets have outscored their opponents 42-25 in the first inning this season.

YO: Yoenis Cespedes has four homers in his last seven games at Citi Field…Is hitting .349 (15-43) with three homers, four RBI and a .404 OBP over his last 11 games.

HIT EM’ IN THE SKY WALKER: Neil Walker connected on his 15th home run of the year last night…Walker had 16 home runs in 151 games with Pittsburgh last year…His career-high is 23 home runs set in 2014 with the Pirates…Walker is tied for second among major league second basemen with his 15 long balls.

HEY ROOK: Brandon Nimmo is 8-for-his-last-24 (.333) after going 0-4 in his major league debut on June 26 at Atlanta…He has four RBI and scored three times in his last three games.

LOCKDOWN: Jeurys Familia has 28 saves, the most in the majors…Is 28-28 in save opportunities in 2016…Familia has a franchise record with 28 straight saves to open a season…Familia has saved 44 consecutive games in the regular season dating to August 1, 2015, extending a franchise-record.

SYN-CITI: Noah Syndergaard has allowed four earned runs in his last 31.2 innings at Citi Field (1.14 ERA)…Overall, Syndergaard is 4-1 with a 2.12 ERA with three walks and 68 strikeouts at home this year.

THOR VS. CUBS: Has faced Chicago once in the regular season and once in the postseason (2015 NLCS)…He is 1-1 in his two starts, with a 3.27 ERA and has struck out 15 and walked five.

METS VS. LESTER: Jon Lester has made three career starts against the Mets and is 2-0 with a 2.50 ERA…He has 18 strikeouts and 10 walks in 18 innings pitched against the Mets…Notable numbers against Lester are provided below…

• Travis d’Arnaud: .667 (2-3), 1 HR, 1 RBI
• Alejandro De Aza: .286 (4-14), 4 2B
• Curtis Granderson: .277 (13-47), 2 2B, 2 HR
• James Loney: .267 (4-15), 1 2B, 1 RBI
• Asdrubal Cabrera: .259 (7-27), 2 2B, 2 RBI
• Neil Walker: .250 (2-8), 2 K
• Wilmer Flores: .250 (2-8), 1 HR, 1 RBI
• Yoenis Cespedes: .125 (2-16), 1 RBI
• Kelly Johnson: .067 (1-15), 1 RBI, 2 BB

The New York Mets (43-37) defeated the Chicago Cubs (51-29) by the final score of 4-3 tonight. For a full boxscore recap follow the link below…

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2016_07_02_chnmlb_nynmlb_1#game=2016_07_02_chnmlb_nynmlb_1,game_tab=box,game_state=Wrapup

Game Notes:

• Neil Walker was 2-4 with a 2-run home run.
• Travis d’Arnaud was 2-4 with a 2-run single.
• Bartolo Colon pitched another solid game going 6 innings while allowing 2 runs on 4 hits. He walked 3 and struck out 4.
• Jeurys Familia converted his 28th save of the season and remains a perfect 28-28 in save opportunities this season.

The Mets put forth another solid performance tonight against the Chicago Cubs who are arguably the best team in baseball. The Mets offense was able to jump on Cubs starter Jake Arrieta early in the game with Neil Walker hitting a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. Travis d’Arnaud also had a clutch two-out single which found just enough grass to drop, that scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Those would be all the runs the Mets would need tonight as the pitching held the Cubs to three runs, and the Mets improved their record to 32-7 on the season when they score four or more runs. 

Bartolo Colon went toe-to-toe with arguably the best pitcher in the National League in Cubs starter Jake Arrieta. Colon disclosed after the game to reporters that he has been dealing with a sore left leg since a start against the Pirates back on June 16. With the way he has pitched over the past several weeks I don’t think anyone would’ve noticed, and it shouldn’t be much of an issue at all. Since May 23rd Colon has posted a 4-1 record with a 1.96 ERA, and he has not allowed more than two runs in any of those eight starts. Well done Mr. Colon!

The Mets have now won seven straight against the Cubs dating back to last season’s NLCS. What a great shift of momentum and morale this series has provided the Mets, and it could be an even bigger jolt to this club if they come out with a four-game sweep tomorrow afternoon. There isn’t a better pitcher for the Mets to have on the mound tomorrow than Noah Syndergaard to help bring out the brooms. Keep on believing Mets fans and let’s go Mets!

On a side note Juan Lagares was activated off the disabled list prior to tonight’s game, and reliever Seth Lugo was sent back down to AAA Las Vegas. Lugo pitched two scoreless innings in last night’s ballgame and should be back up again at some point in the season. Lagares is expected to be in tomorrow’s starting lineup against Cubs lefty Jon Lester. 

• The Mets will go for the four game sweep of the Cubs tomorrow afternoon with a 1:10 pm et start time. Tomorrow’s game can be seen on SNY and MLB Network.

• Noah Syndergaard will look to bounce back after his last start (8-3, 2.49 ERA) against Cubs left-hander Jon Lester (9-3, 2.03 ERA).

Chicago Cubs (51-28):

 

New York Mets (42-37):

 

The New York Mets (42-37) defeated the Chicago Cubs (51-28) last night by the final score of 10-2. For a full boxscore recap follow the link below…

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2016_07_01_chnmlb_nynmlb_1#game=2016_07_01_chnmlb_nynmlb_1,game_tab=box,game_state=Wrapup

Game Notes:

• Asdrubal Cabrera was 2-4 with 2 home runs and 3 RBI’s.
• Brandon Nimmo was 2-5 and hit his first career MLB home run which was a 3-run shot.
• James Loney was 3-5 with a solo HR and a 2-run double.
• Yoenis Cespedes was 2-4 with a solo HR.
• Jacob deGrom was solid for 5 rain-interrupted innings, giving up only 1 run on three hits. He walked 1 and struck out 7.

The Mets look to be regaining their swagger back. Two night’s ago behind a solid pitching performance they scrapped for runs by any means possible. Last night we saw the type of Mets club that had been dominating back in April. The Mets slugged a Citi Field record five home runs, and Jacob deGrom pitched a great game against one of the best offenses in baseball. The Mets bullpen followed with four innings of 1-run ball and never gave the Cubs much of a chance to make it a ballgame again. 

Brandon Nimmo has done nothing but become a jolt of energy in the Mets dugout over the past several days. Nimmo’s infectious smile and his grind it out approach have seemed to lighten the mood both on and off the field for the Mets. Nimmo is making a case to stay on this ballclub for the long run with the way he is swinging the bat and playing defense in the outfield. Let’s hope he can keep it up because the Mets will have two great sparkplugs on this team, with both Nimmo and the soon to be recalled Jose Reyes. 

This is as dominant of a win we have seen the Mets have lately, and it was a great way to turn the page on an uneven June and start a new chapter in July. Yes the Mets are still a season-high six games behind the Nationals, but this ballclub looks to be playing with a sense of urgency that seemed to be lacking over the past couple of weeks. The Mets just have to continue to take it game-by-game and if they can continue this run they have started, the Mets will certainly have their opportunities before the All-Star break to get revenge on the Nats. Let’s keep the momentum going into tonight and let’s go Mets!

• The Mets and Cubs will do battle in the third game of their four game series tonight with first pitch scheduled for 7:15 pm et. Tonight’s game can be seen on FOX.

• The ageless wonder Bartolo Colon (6-4, 2.86 ERA) will toe the rubber against the best pitcher in the National League, Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta (12-2, 2.10 ERA).

The New York Mets (41-37) rallied to defeat the Chicago Cubs (51-27) tonight by the final score of 4-3. For a full boxscore recap follow the link below…

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2016_06_30_chnmlb_nynmlb_1#game=2016_06_30_chnmlb_nynmlb_1,game_tab=box,game_state=Wrapup

Game Notes:

• Yoenis Cespedes went 1-4 and hit the Mets longest home run of the season (solo HR) in the bottom of the 6th at 466 feet.
• Brandon Nimmo was 1-4 and picked up his first career RBI with an RBI single in the bottom of the 7th.
• Neil Walker was 1-4 and credited with an RBI that scored two runs on a fielder’s choice and a throwing error on the same play in the bottom of the 7th.
• Steven Matz went 5.1 innings and allowed 3 runs on 7 hits. He struck out 6 and walked 3.
• Jeurys Familia converted his 27th save of the season.

This was exactly the kind of win the Mets needed to hopefully pull them back in the right direction, as they are in the middle of the toughest stretch of games on their schedule this season. For the first five innings it seemed more of the same Mets that we had seen over the last 4 days. But a Yoenis Cespedes bomb in the bottom of the sixth to cut the Cubs lead to 3-1, seemed to bring some life back into the team. The Mets fought and scrapped in the bottom of the seventh to take a 4-3 lead that they would never relinquish. The Mets from the sixth inning on played with a sense of urgency, and it was the kind of performance we were used to seeing in the second half of last season, and the beginning of this season. 

Steven Matz pitched a great game tonight, as he only allowed two mistake pitches which included a 2-run home run to Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant in the top of the first inning, and a solo home run allowed to second baseman Javier Baez in the top of the sixth. Matz appeared to look good on the mound physically, considering the circumstances he is pitching with. He told reporters after the game that he had taken some anti-inflammatory medicine for his elbow and that his elbow felt fine while pitching during the game. If Matz can work around the bone spur for the rest of the season and return to form, he will be a huge factor for the Mets down the stretch. 

Jeurys Familia tip-toed out of a jam in the top of the ninth inning after allowing the first two batters to reach base. Familia faced runners on second and third with no outs, and came out unscathed while facing the middle of the Cubs lineup. Familia continues to display why he is one of the best closers in the game this season, as he is now a perfect 27 for 27 in save opportunities. Familia has been the one constant for the Mets this season and it would’ve been truly heartbreaking had he blown the save. However that wasn’t the case tonight, and the Mets I believe are celebrating one of their best wins of the season, if not their best win.

If the Mets are able to keep the momentum rolling through the rest of the All-Star Break, a win like tonight’s game are always the kind of games you look back at. The Mets fought hard against one of the best team’s in baseball and were visibly fired up after the game. Reestablishing their identity over this homestand is huge, and I believe they can do it if they continue to fight like they did tonight. Oh yeah and keep on smiling Mr. Nimmo you’ve earned it with the way you’ve played since your call-up! Here’s to an uneven June but hopefully a better July!

• The Mets and Cubs will square off in the second matchup of their four-game series tomorrow night at 7:10 pm et. Tomorrow’s game can be seen on SNY and MLB Network.

• Jacob deGrom (3-4, 2.67 ERA) will take the hill for the Mets against Cubs right-hander Jason Hammel (7-4, 2.58 ERA)