2015 National League Championship Series

2015 National League Championship Series
Team (Wins) Manager(s) Season New York Mets(4) Terry Collins 90–72,.556, GA: 7 Chicago Cubs(0) Joe Maddon 97–65,.599, GB: 3
Dates	October 17–21
MVP	Daniel Murphy(New York)
Umpires	Ted Barrett(crew chief),Eric Cooper,Rob Drake(Games 1–2),Tim Timmons,Paul Emmel,Bill Miller,andMark Wegner(Games 3–4)
Broadcast
Television	TBS
TV announcers	Ernie Johnson,Cal Ripken Jr.,Ron Darling,Matt Winer,andSam Ryan
Radio	ESPN
Radio announcers	Jon SciambiandChris Singleton
NLDS	Chicago CubsoverSt. Louis Cardinals(3–1) New York MetsoverLos Angeles Dodgers(3–2)
NLCS

The2015 National League Championship Serieswas abest-of-seven playoffcontested between theChicago Cubsand theNew York Metsfor theNational League(NL)pennantand the right to play in the2015 World Series.TheMetsswept theCubsfour games to none for their fifth National League pennant in franchise history. The series was the 46th in league history andTBSaired all games in the United States. Game 1 was played on October 17.

This was the first postseason meeting between the Mets and Cubs. For the first time in the history of the NLCS, the losing team never had a lead during a game. It was also the first since2007to end in a sweep and the third in the best-of-seven format to do so (the other being in1995).

The Mets would go on to face theKansas City Royalsin theWorld Series,losing to them in five games. As of 2023, this is the last postseason series won by the Mets.

Background

TheChicago Cubsfinished the2015 seasonwith a 97–65 record, the third best record in the majors. With new managerJoe Maddonand the great play of pitcherJake Arrietaand hittersAnthony RizzoandKris Bryant,the Cubs experienced their best season since2008when they also won 97 games. Despite their record, the Cubs only finished third in theNational League Central,received the second Wild Card bid and had to travel to play thePittsburgh Piratesin the2015 National League Wild Card Game,where they won 4–0.They then advanced to the NLCS by defeating theSt. Louis Cardinals3 games to 1 in the NLDS. This was the first time the Cubs won a postseason series atWrigley Field.It was their first appearance in the NLCS since2003and their fourth appearance overall. It also snapped the Cardinals' NLCS appearance streak at four; they had appeared in every NLCS from2011to2014,winning in 2011 and2013.

TheNew York Metsmade their first playoff appearance since2006with help from their starting pitchersMatt Harvey,Jacob deGromandNoah Syndergaardas well the late season acquisition of hitterYoenis Céspedes.The Mets finished 2015 with a 90–72 record, clinching theNational League Easton September 26 with a 10–2 victory over theCincinnati Reds.They defeated theLos Angeles Dodgersin five games in the2015 NLDS,their first playoff series played atCiti Fieldsince its opening in 2009. This was the second straight NLDS in which the Mets clinched in L.A., advancing to the NLCS for the first time since2006and their eighth appearance overall.

During the 2015 regular season, the Cubs won all seven games against the Mets.

Summary

New York won the series, 4–0.

Game	Date	Score	Location	Time	Attendance
1	October 17	Chicago Cubs – 2,New York Mets– 4	Citi Field	2:55	44,287
2	October 18	Chicago Cubs – 1,New York Mets– 4	Citi Field	3:07	44,502
3	October 20	New York Mets– 5, Chicago Cubs – 2	Wrigley Field	3:01	42,231
4	October 21	New York Mets– 8, Chicago Cubs – 3	Wrigley Field	3:32	42,227

Game summaries

Game 1

October 17, 2015 8:07 p.m. (EDT) atCiti FieldinQueens, New York45 °F (7 °C), mostly clear

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Chicago	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	2	5	0
New York	1	0	0	0	1	1	1	0	x	4	8	1
WP:Matt Harvey(1–0)LP:Jon Lester(0–1)Sv:Jeurys Familia(1) Home runs: CHC:Kyle Schwarber(1) NYM:Daniel Murphy(1),Travis d'Arnaud(1) Attendance:44,287

The Met and Cub reserves and coaches stand on the field for introductions before Game 1 at Citi Field.

Having used acesJake ArrietaandJacob deGromlate in their respective Division Series, the Cubs turned toJon Lesterand the Mets toMatt Harveyfor Game 1 of the Championship Series.Daniel Murphy,fresh off a Division Series in which he hit three home runs, jumped Lester early on with a home run in the first inning. Lester would settle down, only allowing that lone run through four innings, but Harvey was even better, throwing four perfect innings as he blew away the Cubs hitters.

After getting ahead ofAnthony Rizzoon an 0–2 count, Harvey came inside with a fastball and plunked the Cubs first baseman on the arm, allowing Rizzo to reach base as the first Cubs baserunner of the night. The next batter,Starlin Castro,jumped Harvey for a double that eluded the reach ofGold GlovewinnerJuan Lagaresin center field that scored Rizzo and knotted the game at one. Harvey would retire the following batter,Jorge Soler,on a groundout to third, forcing Castro to hold at second, but subsequently allowed a base hit to left byJavier Báez.Testing the strong arm of left fielderYoenis Céspedes,Castro attempted to score on the hit by Báez, but was thrown out at the plate by Céspedes in plenty of time, helping Harvey escape the inning having only allowed the one run.

Flores batting before hitting his single.

In the bottom of the fifth,Wilmer Floresand Lagares would both reach on one-out singles against Lester, bringing up Harvey with runners on first and second. The Met starter attempted to move the runners over with a sacrifice bunt, but did so right towards the first baseman Rizzo who fired over to third to force out Flores for the second out of the inning. The third basemanKris Bryantattempted to make a return throw to first base which may have forced out Harvey for a double play, but Bryant fumbled the ball from his glove hand to his throwing hand, allowing the inning to continue. The next batter,Curtis Granderson,then blooped a single into center field to score Lagares and help the Mets regain the lead.

Harvey at-bat, before bunting into a fielder's choice.

Granderson takes an at-bat before singling in Lagares.

Trevor Cahill pitches for Chicago in Game 1.

Once again with the lead Harvey would regain control and blank the Cubs in the top halves of the sixth and seventh, while the Mets would add runs off of Lester.Travis d'Arnaudhit a home run in the sixth inning off of Citi Field's Home Run Apple in center field. The Mets would then manufacture another run in the seventh after a Lagares leadoff single. After Harvey sacrificed Lagares to second, the Met center fielder stole third with one out, setting up a Granderson sacrifice fly to make it a 4–1 game.

With Harvey still pitching into the eighth,Kyle Schwarbersmoked a home run deep into the Cubs bullpen in right center, ending Harvey's night after7+2⁄3innings, having allowed only two runs and four hits to go along with nine strikeouts.

Familia enters for the save.

Mets closerJeurys Familiacame on for the 4-out save, and would finish it off for Harvey, getting help from a Murphy diving play for the last out of the game.

Game 2

October 18, 2015 8:07 p.m. (EDT) atCiti FieldinQueens, New York41 °F (5 °C), clear

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Chicago	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	5	0
New York	3	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	x	4	5	0
WP:Noah Syndergaard(1–0)LP:Jake Arrieta(0–1)Sv:Jeurys Familia(2) Home runs: CHC: None NYM:Daniel Murphy(2) Attendance:44,502

Looking to rebound and tie the series, the Cubs turned to aceJake Arrietain a matchup against Mets rookieNoah Syndergaard.Much like in Game 1, the Mets got on the board in the first inning after aCurtis Grandersonsingle, aDavid WrightRBI double, and aDaniel Murphytwo-run home run to give the Mets a 3–0 lead through three batters against Arrieta. For Wright, it was his first hit and RBI since Game 1 of the NLDS. Murphy's home run extended his streak of consecutive postseason games with a home run to four, and also gave him five home runs for the entire postseason, a Mets record.The Mets added another run in the third onYoenis Cespedes's RBI single to score Granderson.

The four runs were all Syndergaard needed. He pitched5+2⁄3innings, striking out nine while only walking one. He allowed only three hits, the last of which was aKris BryantRBI double that plated the only run against him and ended his outing in the sixth inning. Met relieversJon Niese,Addison Reed,Tyler Clippard,andJeurys Familiacombined for3+1⁄3scoreless innings to finish off the win, giving the Mets a 2–0 series lead.

Game 3

October 20, 2015 8:07 p.m. (EDT) atWrigley FieldinChicago, Illinois72 °F (22 °C), partly cloudy

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
New York	1	0	1	0	0	1	2	0	0	5	11	0
Chicago	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	5	1
WP:Jacob deGrom(1–0)LP:Trevor Cahill(0–1)Sv:Jeurys Familia(3) Home runs: NYM:Daniel Murphy(3) CHC:Kyle Schwarber(2),Jorge Soler(1) Attendance:42,231

Hosting their first NLCS game at Wrigley Field in 12 years, the Cubs startedKyle Hendricksin an attempt to pick up their first win of the series. Though Mets leadoff hitterCurtis Grandersonreached base after an error by shortstopJavier Báez,he was caught stealing to negate the misplay. The Mets still scored one run in the frame after aYoenis CéspedesRBI double, but the caught stealing proved costly as the Mets were unable to capitalize any further. The Cubs tied the game in the bottom half of the inning after aKyle Schwarberopposite field home run off of Mets aceJacob deGrom,but they too missed an opportunity to inflict further damage.Anthony RizzoandStarlin Castrohit back-to-back two-out singles off of deGrom, butJorge Solergrounded out to end the threat with the game still tied at 1–1.

Daniel Murphycontinued his historic hot streak with yet another home run, a shot to center field to give the Mets back the lead in the top of the third. For Murphy, it was his sixth home run of the postseason, making him the all-time Mets postseason home run leader in just eight games. It was also his fifth consecutive postseason game with a home run, tyingCarlos Beltrán's all-time mark from the 2004 postseason. The Cubs tied the game on a Soler home run in the fourth, but deGrom allowed nothing further. After a first inning where he gave up three hits, the only hit that deGrom allowed was the Soler home run. Meanwhile, Hendricks was pulled after four innings asJoe Maddonturned to his bullpen starting in the fifth.

Left-handerClayton Richardescaped the fifth inning unscored upon after inducing a double play from Murphy to retire the side. Right-handerTrevor Cahillwas called upon next for the sixth, and he promptly gave up a single to Céspedes to lead off the inning. The strugglingLucas Duda,at that point just 3-for-23 in the postseason, attempted to bunt against theinfield shift,but was thrown out at first for what was ruled asacrifice,advancing Céspedes to second. Céspedes then stole third base with one out, but Cahill retiredTravis d'Arnaudon a ground out to third with the infield drawn in, forcing Céspedes to hold at third. The following batter, rookieMichael Conforto,saw nothing but curveballs from Cahill, who often bounced his curveballs despite the go-ahead run being on third base. CatcherMiguel Monterowas up to the task of blocking Cahill's curveballs in the dirt until the 2-2 pitch when Conforto chased another curveball for strike three. Montero could not handle this last curveball, allowing it to get past him and roll to the backstop. Conforto would reach first safely after theuncaught third strikewhile Céspedes scored to give the Mets back the lead for the third time.

The Mets were presented with more opportunities in the seventh due to more defensive miscues by the Cubs. With one out and facing new relieverTravis Wood,David Wrightdoubled down the line in left, narrowly beating the throw from the left fielder Schwarber. The next batter Murphy hit a soft tapper towards the hole between the third basemanKris Bryantand the shortstop Báez. Bryant fielded the ball moving to his left but double-clutched before throwing to first, allowing Murphy to reach safely for an infield single as Wright advanced to third. Looking for a strikeout, Maddon insertedJustin Grimmto replace Wood, but Céspedes would follow with a line drive to deep left that glanced off of Schwarber's glove, going for what was ruled to be a long RBI single with Wright scoring, Murphy advancing to third, and Céspedes reaching second after Schwarber's throw went to third. Duda followed with a run-scoring groundout fielded by Rizzo, who elected to step on first base to force out Duda before throwing home, giving Murphy extra time to score from third.

With the Mets up 5–2, deGrom shut the Cubs down with a perfect seventh inning, ending his night having only allowed four hits and two runs while striking out seven. He would pick up the win afterJeurys Familiafinished off the ninth for his third save in as many games in the series and his fifth save of the postseason, giving the Mets a commanding 3–0 series lead.

Game 4

October 21, 2015 8:07 p.m. (EDT) atWrigley FieldinChicago, Illinois72 °F (22 °C), partly cloudy

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
New York	4	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	8	11	0
Chicago	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	2	0	3	6	0
WP:Bartolo Colón(1–0)LP:Jason Hammel(0–1) Home runs: NYM:Lucas Duda(1),Travis d'Arnaud(2),Daniel Murphy(4) CHC:Kris Bryant(1) Attendance:42,227

The Cubs entered Game 4 facing the daunting task of having to overcome a 3–0 series deficit, done only once in MLB history when the2004World Series championBoston Red Soxdefeated theNew York Yankeesafter losing the first three games of the ALCS.Attempting to repeat the accomplishment was Cubs president of baseball operationsTheo Epstein,who was the general manager of the Red Sox in 2004.

However, as had happened in every previous game of the series, the Mets took the first lead of the game in the first inning.Lucas Duda,just 1-for-6 in the series in the first three games, launched a three-run home run to center field against Cubs starterJason Hammelto get the Mets off to a fast start again. The next batter,Travis d'Arnaud,also took Hammel deep with an opposite field home run to make it 4–0 before the Cubs would even step up to the plate. After Mets starterSteven Matzquickly retired the side in order in the bottom of the first, Hammel issued a one-out walk toDavid Wrightin top of the second, ending his night asJoe Maddonquickly went to his bullpen. RelieverTravis Woodallowed a two-run double to Duda later in the inning, making it a 6–0 game.

Matz held the Cubs hitless through three innings, but Chicago mounted its first rally in the bottom of the fourth, loading the bases with nobody out forStarlin Castro.Though Castro hit a bullet of a line drive, Wright made a leaping grab at third base to save an extra base hit and at least two runs. The Cubs would score their first run after an RBI groundout fromKyle Schwarber,butJavier Báezpopped out in foul territory near the Cubs bullpen, stranding two runners and leaving the Cubs still down 6–1.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Matz looked as though he would retire the Cubs in order, but with two outs aDexter Fowlerfly ball dropped into shallow right field after a misplay by second basemanDaniel Murphy.Fowler, however, was not hustling out of the batter's box and thus only made it to first base. He was not in scoring position when the next batterJorge Solersingled. Matz was chased from the game asBartolo Colónwas called upon to make his first relief appearance of the series. The veteran Colón struck outKris Bryantand again the Cubs stranded two baserunners.

The Mets themselves wasted opportunities to extend their lead, gettingWilmer Floreson third to lead off the top of the sixth as well as having the bases loaded in the top of the seventh, but never scoring in either inning. However, in the top of the eighth inning, New York padded its lead with a two-run home run from Murphy, his fourth home run of the series, his seventh of the postseason, and his sixth consecutive game with a home run, a new postseason record. Though Bryant hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth offTyler Clippard,he allowed nothing more.Jeurys Familiafinished off the sweep by striking out Fowler, sending the Mets to the World Series for the first time since2000.After hitting.529 with the four home runs and a 1.294slugging percentagefor the series, Murphy was named series MVP.

By coincidence, the Cubs' 2015 season ended on the same day as the2015 World Seriesthat was depicted in the 1989 movieBack to the Future Part II.In the film, the Cubs swept a fictitious Miami team. The actual 2015 World Series saw the Mets lose to theKansas City Royalsin five games, but the Cubs went on to winthe next season's edition,defeating theCleveland Indiansin seven.

This was the only pennant won by a New York City team during the 2010s decade.

Composite line score

2015 NLCS (4–0):New York MetsbeatChicago Cubs

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Chicago Cubs	1	0	0	2	1	1	0	3	0	8	21	1
New York Mets	9	2	2	0	1	2	3	2	0	21	35	1
Total attendance:173,247Average attendance:43,312

External links

• "2015 Postseason".MLB.com.RetrievedAugust 22,2015.