Associated Press
CHICAGO — One final, charmed swing by Daniel Murphy, and the New York Mets finished a playoff sweep of the Chicago Cubs.
A new generation of Amazins is heading to the World Series.
Murphy homered for a record sixth-consecutive postseason game, and the Mets brushed aside the Cubs, 8-3, Wednesday night, capping a National League Championship Series in which New York never trailed.
“I can’t explain it. It’s such a blessing to contribute to what we’ve been able to do,” Murphy said.
Lucas Duda hit a 3-run homer in the first inning and a 2-run double in the second at Wrigley Field, silencing a crowd of 42,227 desperately hoping for the beginning of an epic comeback in Game 4.
Not this time. Not with New York’s array of power arms, and Murphy swinging a hot stick that made him the NLCS MVP.
Manager Terry Collins’ team advanced to the World Series for the first time since the Mets lost to the crosstown Yankees in five games in 2000. They will play at either Toronto or Kansas City in Game 1 on Tuesday night — the Royals lead 3-2 in the ALCS.
But the first big question for New York is the health of center fielder Yoenis Cespedes, who left in the second inning with soreness in his left shoulder. Any health issue for the slugger could be a big factor in the next round.
The Cubs, meanwhile, still haven’t won the crown since 1908. Manager Joe Maddon’s wild-card bunch surged into this series but was overmatched.
“They didn’t give us — they did not let us up for air at any point,” Maddon said. “Their domination of the early part of the game and their pitching was impressive.”
When Dexter Fowler looked at a called third strike for the final out, Jeurys Familia dropped to his knees in front of the mound and then hopped up for a hug from catcher Travis d’Arnaud. They were soon joined by the rest of their jubilant teammates in the infield grass.
A small, but vocal group of New York fans behind the visiting dugout then chanted “Let’s go, Mets. Let’s go, Mets.” Long after the team had moved its celebration to the cramped visiting clubhouse at Wrigley, the fans continued with chants of “Four more wins. Four more wins.”
By wrapping it up fast, the Mets can now set up their imposing rotation how they want for the World Series. Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey, and Noah Syndergaard will all be on full rest and then some.
Right when it looked as if his historic streak was coming to an end, Murphy connected for a 2-run drive to center against Fernando Rodney in the eighth inning. The second baseman raised his right arm as he rounded first after his seventh homer of the playoffs — the string includes a shot in the deciding Game 5 of the Division Series at Dodger Stadium last week.
