On April 18, 2026, the Modern York Mets faced off against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in a regular-season National League matchup. The game, part of a three-game series, drew attention for its implications in the tight NL Central and East races, with both teams vying for playoff positioning as the season entered its final stretch.
According to MLB’s official schedule and team announcements, the first pitch was scheduled for 1:20 p.m. CT, with the game broadcast nationally on Fox Sports 1 and locally on SNY in the New York market and Marquee Sports Network in Chicago. Fans unable to attend in person could stream the game via MLB.TV or the Fox Sports app, subject to blackout restrictions.
Both clubs released their starting lineups ahead of the contest, with the Mets relying on a mix of veteran presence and emerging talent. Pete Alonso batted cleanup, continuing his role as a middle-of-the-order anchor, while Francisco Lindor led off and played shortstop. On the mound, New York sent right-hander David Peterson to the hill, who entered the game with a 4.12 ERA over 12 starts this season.
The Cubs countered with a lineup featuring Dansby Swanson at shortstop and Christopher Morel in the outfield. Their starting pitcher was Jordan Wicks, a left-hander making his 10th start of the season and carrying a 3.88 ERA into the matchup, per MLB’s official player statistics.
Broadcast and Streaming Details
The game was available for live viewing through multiple platforms. Nationally, Fox Sports 1 carried the broadcast with play-by-play commentator Adam Amin and former MLB player Jim Edmonds providing analysis. In the Mets’ home market, SNY offered the feed with Gary Cohen, Ron Darling, and Keith Hernandez on the call. Chicago audiences received the game via Marquee Sports Network, featuring Len Kasper and David Ross as commentators.
Streaming options included MLB.TV for out-of-market subscribers, while the Fox Sports app provided access to the national broadcast with authentication through participating cable or streaming services. MLB confirmed that blackout restrictions applied in local markets, meaning fans within the designated territories of SNY or Marquee Sports Network could not access the game via MLB.TV without a valid television login.
In-Game Developments and Key Moments
Early in the game, the Mets struck first when Brandon Nimmo drove in a run with a double in the second inning, scoring Alonso from first. The Cubs responded in the bottom of the third with a solo home run by Morel off Peterson, tying the game at 1-1.
Peterson worked five innings, allowing three runs on six hits with four strikeouts and two walks before being relieved by Drew Smith. The Mets’ bullpen held firm through the middle innings, with Smith and Tyler Rogers combining for three scoreless frames.
Chicago took a 4-2 lead in the sixth inning after a two-run double by Seiya Suzuki off Rogers, capping a rally that began with a leadoff walk and stolen base. New York answered in the top of the seventh when Lindor hit a solo home run off Cubs reliever Caleb Thurston, cutting the deficit to 4-3.
The game remained tied after a scoreless eighth inning, setting up a decisive ninth. With the Mets down by one, Alonso drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Lindor. After a strikeout, J.D. Davis delivered a pinch-hit single to score Alonso, tying the game at 4-4.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Cubs had a chance to win it when Suzuki led off with a double. However, Mets closer Edwin Díaz struck out the next two batters and induced a groundout to end the threat, sending the game into extra innings.
Extra Innings and Final Outcome
In the tenth inning, the Mets loaded the bases with no outs after singles by Nimmo and Lindor and a walk to Alonso. Díaz, who had just closed the ninth, remained in the game and induced a double-play grounder by Jeff McNeil to escape the inning without allowing a run.
Chicago’s half of the tenth began with a walk to Nico Hoerner and a bunt single by Morel. After a strikeout, Swanson lifted a sacrifice fly to score Hoerner, giving the Cubs a 5-4 lead.
New York came up short in the bottom of the tenth. After a leadoff single by Vientos, Díaz struck out swinging. A groundout by Alonso and a flyout to center field by Lindor ended the game, securing a 5-4 victory for Chicago.
The win improved the Cubs’ record to 22-18, while the Mets fell to 20-20. Both teams remained in contention for playoff spots, with the Cubs sitting just above .500 in the NL Central and the Mets hovering around the wildcard threshold in the East.
Following the game, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza praised his team’s resilience, saying, “We fought hard and gave ourselves a chance. We’ll take this one and get ready for tomorrow.” Cubs manager Craig Counsell highlighted the timely hitting and bullpen performance, noting, “We got the big hits when we needed them and held on late.”
As the series continued the next day, both clubs prepared to produce adjustments based on the outcome, with pitching matchups and lineup tweaks expected to influence the final game of the set.
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