The Chicago Cubs (61-82) won’t be in the playoffs, but they’re relishing their role as spoiler.
The Cubs defeated the New York Mets (89-55) 6-3 in New York to sweep one of the top teams in the league. The NL East leaders lost their fifth consecutive home game and dropped to 5-7 in a 16-game stretch against Washington, Pittsburgh, Miami and Chicago — all more than 20 games under.500 this season, according to ESPN.
Chicago starter Drew Smyly (7-8) allowed two runs and four hits in five innings. He struck out five and walked one.
The Cubs will start a series with the Colorado Rockies, who defeated the Chicago White Sox on Sept. 14, at Wrigley Field on Friday, Sept. 16.
—The Chicago White Sox (73-70) lost to the Colorado Rockies (62-81) 3-0 at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Kyle Freeland outpitched Dylan Cease and the Rockies dented the South Siders’ push for a playoff spot, ESPN noted.
The White Sox fell four games behind AL Central-leading Cleveland with 19 games remaining. Chicago travels to Cleveland for a makeup game Thursday, Sept. 15, and the teams return to Chicago for a three-game series starting Sept. 20.
—On Sept. 14, the Chicago Red Stars routed the Kansas City Current 4-0 at SeatGeek Stadium, giving the Current their first loss in 13 games.
Chicago’s Tatumn Milazzo and Mallory Pugh both scored in the first nine minutes of the game to give the Red Stars an early lead, followed by goals from Pugh again and Amanda Kowalski in the second half.
The Red Stars gained three points, putting them ahead of OL Reign in the fifth spot in the NWSL rankings.
Chicago will next play the Houston Dash on Saturday, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m. at SeatGeek Stadium.