Mets fall 10-3 to the Cubs in a game defined by early control issues and a brutal fifth inning that buried any comeback hopes. Tong never settled, getting knocked around after a shaky third as New York’s bullpen absorbed a heavy workload. Offensively, Francisco Alvarez and Mark Vientos managed late rallies, but the Cubs pulled away with a multi-run outburst and defensive miscues sealing the blowout.

Defensive miscues and wild pitches framed the Mets’ day, with a key error spurring Chicago’s eighth run and a misplayed ball on the bases helping extend the margin. The result matters for NL Wild Card positioning, but fantasy angles lean toward Cubs’ hitters in the right matchups and Mets arms needed to steady the rotation.

Bottom line: the Mets showed flashes late but couldn’t erase the early deficit, leaving fantasy managers weighing dry streaks against upcoming schedules and bullpen plans as the season winds down.