Morning Marquee: Chicago Cubs drop series opener to the Mets

After sweeping the Cincinnati Reds, Joe Maddon and the Chicago Cubs traveled to New York to take on the Mets. Yesterday’s series opener began a National League Championship Series rematch between both clubs.

And well, just like the postseason, it went in favor of the New York Mets. Veteran right-hander John Lackey started off strong, silencing that banged up lineup until outfielder Yoenis Cespedes launched a towering home run that reached the upper-upper deck out in left field.

Things were looking great for the first-place Chicago Cubs — who still have themselves a solid lead in the National League Central, but the bullpen got a little shaky. Last year’s Rookie of the Year winner, Kris Bryant, recorded his 22nd home run of the season in the first inning of the game.

Utility man Ben Zobrist opened up the contest with a lead-off hit and trotted around the bases alongside Bryant which handed Lackey an early 2-0 lead.

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Infielder Javier Baez played hero on Tuesday evening by swatting a grand slam which was the nail in the coffin to claim the series from the Reds. He also went deep in last night’s 4-3 loss.

Aside from his home run, Baez rushed a throw to Bryant over at third base with runners in scoring position and only one out. This resulted in the ball getting by Bryant, rolling towards the dugout, allowing the Mets to take the lead late in the game.

Chicago was unable to bounce back despite having the bases loaded with only one out in the top half of the ninth inning. Willson Contreras struck out swinging while Baez popped out for the third and final out of the ballgame.

We all know that the Cubs struggle in games that are decided by one run. It’s still early in the year but they need to consider adding another solid and reliable arm to their bullpen.

Former Cubs reliever, Fernando Rodney was acquired by the Miami Marlins in a trade with the San Diego Padres after posting a solid earned run average of 0.31 with 17 saves. Maybe the Cubs missed out on keeping or attempting to re-acquire his services again.

Hopefully, Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer are searching high and low for someone who can come in and help anchor this bullpen. There has been too much stress placed on the shoulders of Pedro Strop and Hector Rondon.

And I’m sorry but Joel Peralta is not the answer.