Look at it this way.
The Cubs weren’t likely to sweep this series in New York, and looking at the pitching matchups, Monday’s between Drew Smyly (who’s had a rough time lately) and Kodai Senga (who’s been very good recently) seemed the likely one the Cubs would lose.
The game went true to form, then, as Smyly got pounded again and the Cubs were crushed 11-2, their worst loss since a 13-3 thrashing by the Giants almost two months ago, June 11 in San Francisco. (FWIW: After that loss, the Cubs won five straight.)
The game started out poorly for Smyly and the Cubs.