NLCS Game 3: Mets move to brink of World Series with 5-2 win in Chicago

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The New York Mets took a commanding 3-0 lead in the National League Championship Series, defeating the Chicago Cubs 5-2 in Game 3 at Wrigley Field.
The Mets were paced by another gritty effort from starter Jacob deGrom, who continues to impress on the national stage. Offensively, New York was able to chip away at Cubs pitching and piece together several small rallies. New York scored in four different innings, putting the game away with a two-run seventh.*
[StewPod: Jose Reyes is still rooting for his old teammates in Toronto]
Of course, they also benefitted from another home run from Daniel Murphy's hot bat, but this was more about timely hitting and taking advantage of some at times sloppy Cubs defense.*
With the win, New York is now*one win away from clinching its first World Series appearance since 2000.*

• Like his NLDS Game 5 outing in Los Angeles, Jacob deGrom started slow but settled in nicely during the middle innings. In seven innings, deGrom allowed two runs*— both home runs*— on four hits while striking out seven. He retired the final 11 batters he faced before turning it over to New York's bullpen.*
• Yoenis Cespedes had his best game since NLDS Game 3, collecting three hits, scoring two runs and driving home two. Cespedes opened the scoring with a first-inning double, before adding a pair of singles. He scored the go-ahead run in the sixth after stealing third and racing home on a wild pitch. His seventh inning single also scored one as the Mets opened up their lead.*

• Daniel Murphy tied a major-league record by homering in his fifth straight postseason game. Murphy took Kyle Hendricks deep for a solo shot in the third inning, which gave the Mets a 2-1 lead and helped him equal Carlos Beltran's streak established in 2004. Overall, Murphy now has six home runs in eight postseason games, which established a new Mets franchise record.

Daniel Murphy has hit more postseason home runs than anybody wearing a #Mets uniform has ever hit. He has played eight postseason games.
— Jared Diamond (@jareddiamond) October 21, 2015​

• After just eight career postseason games, Kyle Schwarber is already the most prolific home run hitter in Cubs postseason history. Schwarber launched a solo home run against deGrom in the first inning, giving him five.

#Postseason HR in #Cubs history: 5 Kyle Schwarber 4 Aramis Ramirez 4 Alex Gonzalez 3 Frank Demaree
— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) October 21, 2015​

• It was a bullpen game for the Cubs after starter Kyle Hendricks gave them only four innings. Trevor Cahill handled the sixth inning and slipped up a bit, allowing one run on a hit. The key though was his failure to hold Cespedes at second base. Cespedes swiped third with ease, and then scored the go-ahead run on a strike three wild pitch.*
• Schwarber and Jorge Soler each homered for the Cubs, but they also struggled in the outfield with costly misplays. Soler's nearly led to a run — and did lead to some chaos*—*while Schwarber's ultimately led to two runs. *
• Miguel*Montero went 0-for-3 for Chicago, dropping his postseason average to .143.*

With the game tied in the sixth, Trevor Cahill nearly escaped the inning unscathed after striking out Michael Conforto on a curve in the dirt. Unfortunately for the Cubs, the ball bounced away from catcher Miguel Montero and reached the backstop, allowing Conforto to reach and Yoenis Cespdes to score the go-ahead run. The run was set up by Lucas Duda's first sacrifice bunt in four seasons.*

Kyle Schwarber didn't just make Cubs' history in Game 3. He also made MLB history.

.@Cubs Kyle Schwarber now holds the all-time record for most #postseason home runs before turning 23 with 5 HRs. #NLCS
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 21, 2015​

• The Wrigley Field ground rules after Wilmer Flores' double got stuck in the ivy during the Mets sixth-inning rally. The ground rules have long been in place at Wrigley Field, but rarely have they been spotlighted on this stage. The play cost the Mets what looked to be an important run.*
• Do the Cubs have a miracle in them, or will a dream 2015 season end one stop short of the World Series?*

It's do-or-die for the Cubs in Game 4. With their season on the line, they're expected to send right-hander Jason Hammel (10-7, 3.74) to the hill against New York's Steven Matz (4-0, 2.27). Assuming that remains the plan and Jon Lester doesn't get the call on short rest, Hammel should enter with a shorter leash than Hendricks was given in Game 3.
The game will begin at 8:07 p.m. ET and will air on TBS.*
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813