NL Wild Card Standings: Former Mets pitcher blew winnable game for the Cubs

The Chicago Cubs have sneaked up in the NL Wild Card standings and went into action on Monday only two games behind the New York Mets. An easy August schedule that’ll get tougher soon enough provided them with the ability to become relevant again.

Unfortunately for them, former Mets pitcher Jorge Lopez had his first terrible game for them at the most inopportune time.

This home run was the fourth earned run Lopez allowed in the game to the Pittsburgh Pirates. He has allowed only 6 in 24.2 innings for the Cubs now, shrinking at a crucial part of the season.

Jorge Lopez paid back the Mets on Monday by losing a game for the Cubs

Lopez was, for all intents and purposes, a pretty good pitcher for the Mets. It wasn’t until his literal implosion against the Los Angeles Dodgers that concluded with a glove getting thrown into the stands when he became a problem. On the mound, he was more than acceptable. His success with the Cubs proves the Mets were always right to sign him in the offseason.

But some blown games by now former Cubs closer Hector Neris earlier this year and lackluster hitting throughout 2024 helped dig the Cubs into a deep hole. Rather than rack up wins early on against bad teams, the schedule allowed them to get better after a light trade deadline sell-off that included subtracting some underperforming players while hoping to add Isaac Parades to the mix for future plans and maybe a little help right now.

The secret to the Cubs’ success has been their pitching. Starters and relievers have all done well. The hitting has not. Ranked 13th in runs scored, it would seem they’ve managed to cross the plate due to the timeliness of those hits. They’re 19th in batting average and home runs. Their OBP is 12th and OPS is 14th. They are, for lack of a better term, average on offense.

While the Mets have been concentrating on catching the Braves or even seeing the Arizona Diamondbacks or San Diego Padres falter, the Cubs have slowly snuck up behind. Of only a minor concern at the moment, the Mets must remain focused on beating who they play above all else.

The Mets won on Monday and moved to a half game behind the Braves. The Cubs lost so they're now 3.5 behind Atlanta.