New York Mets

On Sunday at Citi Field, it was all about Thor hammers and billy goat namesakes. That is to say it was all about Noah Syndergaard, Daniel Murphy and the New York Mets.

Thanks in large part to Syndergaard's god-like arm and Murphy's infallible bat, the Mets cruised to a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs and grabbed a commanding 2-0 edge in the National League Championship Series.

It’s based on a small sample size and one that is likely to change in the long run, but if his first two playoff starts are any indication, Matt Harvey should be a star for a long time.

NEW YORK — He took the mound to begin the series, determined to set a tone. He left the mound nearly eight innings later, with the fans chanting his name and his teammates ready to sing his praise.

LOS ANGELES — Good morning, good afternoon and good night.

By the time Jacob deGrom passed the ball to Noah Syndergaard and Syndergaard forwarded it to closer Jeurys Familia, there were singe marks throughout Dodger Stadium. Skid marks on the backs of those pristine white Dodgers uniforms. The place smelled like burning rubber.

NEW YORK — Terry Collins worried, because managers are paid to worry.

He knew what this night was going to be like at Citi Field. He knew what this city had been like since Saturday night, since Chase Utley rolled into Ruben Tejada and the National League Division Series began feeling like a morality play.

"I've got to keep things under control," the New York Mets manager said.

The New York Mets announced shortstop Ruben Tejada suffered a fractured right fibula following a takeout slide from Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley in the seventh inning of Saturday night's National League Division Series matchup.

Continue for updates.

You can make this about Clayton Kershaw if you want. You can make this about Don Mattingly if you prefer.

Just don't forget why the Los Angeles Dodgers ace and manager are in a bind one game into a postseason that matters greatly to both of them. The seventh inning was only a problem because of what Jacob deGrom had already done in the first six.

One man. One pitch. That is what stands in the way of the New York Mets potentially taking a 1-0 National League Division Series lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night.

In 1995 the New York Mets felt they were on the verge of an All-Star pitching rotation consisting of Bill Pulsipher, Jason Isringhausen and Paul Wilson. This highly promoted young trio was dubbed "Generation K."

NEW YORK — Michael Cuddyer played in the postseason five times with the Minnesota Twins.

The only series they won was the first one.

Cuddyer was 23 years old, most of his teammates weren't much older (Torii Hunter and David Ortiz were both 26), and the Twins were playing in October for the first time in 11 years.

"And we had to play Game 5 in Oakland," Cuddyer said last month. "It wasn't easy."