Mets Breeze Past Cubs To Take 2-0 Lead

Say this for Daniel Murphy and the New York Mets: They have their October formula down and are sticking with it. Murphy homered off yet another ace to provide an early cushion for Noah Syndergaard, and the Mets breezed past Jake Arrieta the Chicago Cubs 4-1 Sunday night for a 2-0 lead in a surprisingly one-sided NL Championship Series.

Power, pitching, plus some dazzling defense -- just like the Amazin' Mets of 1969.

Baseball's most dominant pitcher since the All-Star break, Arrieta had not even settled in when Murphy homered for the fourth straight game, a two-run drive just inside the right-field pole in a three-run first inning.

"We're having a whole bunch of fun right now," said Murphy, who homered in the first inning for the second straight game and seems to have a reserved star-of-the-game seat in the interview room.

Given the quick lead on a chilly night, Syndergaard kept the bats of Chicago's young sluggers on ice with shutout ball into the sixth.

Curtis Granderson robbed Chris Coghlan of a likely home run with a leaping grab at the center-field wall, swiped a pair of bases and scored two runs for the Mets.

Monday, October 19 Schedule (Time Central)

Kansas City at Toronto, 7:07 p.m.
ALCS - GAME 3

Tuesday, October 20 (All Times Central)

Kansas City at Toronto, 3:07 p.m.
ALCS - GAME 4

New York at Chicago, 7:07 p.m.
NLCS - GAME 3