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The Cubs and Mets met last year in the NLCS and both teams are still contending for 2016 playoff positioning.
That, plus having two big TV markets involved, likely resulted in Friday's announcement that the Cubs' contest against the Mets Monday, July 18 will be carried by ESPN and start at 6:05 p.m. CT. The original game time was 7:05 p.m. CT, so if you're planning on going to this game, please note the earlier starting time.
The ESPN coverage will be available nationally outside the Chicago and New York markets. Cubs TV coverage that night will be on WPWR-Ch. 50 in Chicago, and that means for those of you who live in the blackout areas of Illinois, Iowa or Indiana, you'll have to consult this link for TV affiliate information.
This is one of two Cubs games that have had a game-time switch for ESPN. The game against the White Sox at the Cell Tuesday, July 26 was also moved, from a 7:10 p.m. CT start to a 6:10 p.m. CT first pitch.