For the second consecutive game, four Blue Jays batters had multiple hits, as the Toronto offense continues to use its deep lineup to rough up opposing pitchers.

Asked late Saturday afternoon if he was aware he had tied Kansas City’s franchise record for a postseason hitting streak, Lorenzo Cain smirked and said, “Yep.” In the third inning from Game 3 of the American League Championship Series on Monday night, the Royals’ center fielder surpassed it, reaching on an infield single to extend his streak to 12 games.

On the surface, Daniel Murphy’s four-game postseason home run streak is undeniably impressive. The deeper you dig into Murphy’s run, however, the more remarkable it becomes.

Theo Epstein was a 28-year-old general manager and built the team that snapped Boston’s 86-year World Series championship drought. He is in the midst of what he hopes is a similar revival with the Cubs.

The autumn sun was shining brightly on Wrigley Field on Monday. The climate was gentle. Even the ivy on the outfield walls remained nearly all green, a slice of summer that politely refused to disappear.

Not only did Cubs starter Jake Arrieta lead the Major Leagues in wins, but he also has his own sandwich. Marmalade, a restaurant at 1969 W. Montrose Ave. in Chicago, offers a “Jake Arrieta Sandwich” which the right-hander helped create.

The Cubs may have their backs up against an ivy-covered wall, but you wouldn’t have known it as they went through a brief workout at Wrigley Field in preparation for Tuesday night’s Game 3 of the National League Championship Series. Here’s a look at four things they have to do to keep their hopes alive.

Leading the National League Championship Series two games to none, the Mets’ confidence will be flying when they walk out for introductions before Game 3 on Tuesday night at Wrigley Field, with Jacob deGrom opposing the Cubs’ Kyle Hendricks.

Routinely confident and typically optimistic, David Wright has grown a tad unsure of himself. “I’ve been better,” Wright admitted after an 0-for-3 line in National League Championship Series Game 1 dropped him to 1-for-19 in the postseason at that time. He shook his head, explaining how he was making due by drawing walks and playing solid defense in spite of his offensive struggles.

Word of advice for anyone who is only now paying attention to the Cubs’ remarkable postseason run: Keep your eyes and ears open when Starlin Castro comes to the plate on Tuesday night.

The next start for Mets right-hander Matt Harvey, scheduled to be Game 5 of the National League Championship Series, if necessary, may be in jeopardy.

As the Cubs “hitting consultant” at both the Minor and Major League levels since 2014, Manny Ramirez has had an impact on several of the team’s young prospects. And when it comes to Latin American players such as Starlin Castro, Jorge Soler and Javier Baez, Ramirez has helped bridge the language and cultural gap between the Cubs coaching staff and players.

After the Cubs dropped Game 2 of the National League Championship Series to the Mets on Sunday in New York, the well-known theme music from the film Rocky could be heard coming from manager Joe Maddon’s office.

The Cubs need Kyle Schwarber and others to get back on track. Schwarber went 7-for-13 in five postseason games before the NLCS, and is 1-for-8 so far with four strikeouts, including the three on Sunday in Chicago’s 4-1 loss to New York, which has a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

The appeal hearing for Chase Utley’s two-game suspension has been postponed indefinitely, according to a report Monday by the New York Daily News.

Curtis Granderson was that close to growing up a Cubs fan. Really, just one or two fewer remote clicks away.

The Mets took care of business at Citi Field in Games 1 and 2 of the National League Championship Series, settling into the driver’s seat primed for their first World Series berth since 2000. But they’re still only halfway there.