Mets 6, Cubs 2: The difference between these teams? The bullpens

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesAl Yellon created Bleed Cubbie Blue and has been its managing editor since 2005. His latest book about the Cubs is "Chicago Cubs Firsts." Find him on Bluesky at @bleedcubbieblue.bsky.social

The Cubs and Mets played evenly for the first six and a half innings of this game, pretty much while the starters were still throwing.

Then the bullpens took over and you can see the difference between the two teams. Mets relievers shut down Cubs hitters. Cubs relievers allowed four runs, including two home runs, in two innings of work and that provided the margin in a 6-2 Cubs loss to the Mets.

This game went back and forth with good starting pitching from both sides. Matthew…