Cubs Complete Series Sweep of Freefalling Mets with 2-1 Victory in Extra Innings
The Chicago Cubs and New York Mets completed their three-game weekend series at Wrigley Field on Sunday, April 19th, with the Cubs securing a sweep and handing the Mets their 11th consecutive loss with their 2-1 win in 10 innings. A low-scoring affair saw the Mets take a 1-0 lead on MJ Melendez’s solo home run in the fifth inning, while Chicago remained scoreless until there was one out in the bottom of the ninth. It was here that Michael Conforto hit an RBI double to drive in Scott Kingery, and the Cubs would then go on to walk the game off in the tenth inning when Pete Crow-Armstrong was driven in on Ian Happ’s sacrifice fly. The Cubs have surged to 12-9, although they remain tied for last place in a crowded NL Central, while the Mets are sinking into panic mode at 7-15 and last place in the NL East. What should we take away from the result?
Chicago’s Offense Might Be Deeper Than We Think
In game three against New York, big-time Cubs sluggers such as Michael Busch, Dansby Swanson, and Moises Ballesteros were completely ineffective, going a combined 0-10. Conforto, a veteran outfielder with only 23 at-bats this season, was the hero in the victory with his RBI double in the ninth inning, while pinch-hitting for Ballesteros. The Cubs are absolutely a team that can be carried by their big-name batters. However, it’s encouraging to know that there are plenty of guys in the dugout who can step up when the time is right.
The Mets Are in Serious Trouble Moving Forward
The New York Mets are a team that has suffered plenty of disappointment in their history, but right now, they are perhaps more championship-minded than they have been in the past quarter-century, putting together a high-powered roster featuring names like Bo Bichette, Juan Soto, and Francisco Lindor. However, the first few weeks of the 2026 season have been nothing short of a nightmare for the Mets. The team’s last victory came on April 7th with an extra-inning win against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Since then, they have free-fallen to 7-15 with their 11-game losing streak, losing two to Arizona and then suffering three-game sweeps to the Athletics, the Dodgers, and now the Cubs. The Mets might be dealing with some injuries now, particularly Soto, but they have some major issues to work out fast if they want any chance of playing in October.
Cubs’ Pitching Steadily Improves
In Javier Assad’s last start, he gave up 11 hits and nine earned runs in the Cubs’ brutal 13-7 loss at the hands of the Philadelphia Phillies on April 13th. Against the Mets, he got back on track, giving up only three hits and one run while lasting nearly six innings. The bullpen was also much better, with four relief pitchers combining for six strikeouts and zero runs on the Cubs’ way to victory. The pitching staff still has some kinks to work out and some much-awaited injury returns in the near future, especially starter Justin Steele, who has missed nearly a year, but the improvements are certainly visible.
