Cubs 3, Mets 1: Christopher Morel breaks up a classic pitcher’s duel

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY SportsChristopher Morel hadn’t homered in almost three weeks, and overall his hitting hadn’t been as good as it was in 2023.

Morel picked an excellent time to break that home-run drought. His no-doubter two-run blast into the left-field seats at Citi Field broke a 1-1 tie and led the Cubs to a 3-1 win over the Mets in the opener of a four-game series. Combined with the Brewers’ 1-0 loss to the Rays in Milwaukee, the Cubs moved into first place in the NL Central by half a game. Sure, it’s April, but first place is first place.

For a time, it looked like the Cubs might even be no-hit. Luis Severino breezed through the first seven innings allowing just two…