Quick recap
Jake Arrieta was dominant, again, as his record-setting second half moves into baseball’s second season - he hurls a complete game shutout, allowing just four hits while striking out 11 and walking none. Said the Cubs ace to TBS TV here in the US:
I’m exhausted. I haven’t felt this way all year. This atmosphere, the energy, it was unbelievable...those guys are an amazing team, 98 wins, the situation as it is, one-game, do or die, one of us had to go...Chicago has been waiting for this, but it’s only step one.
Step two starts on Friday when the Cubbies face the Cardinals in St Louis.
Meanwhile, the Bucs have now been blanked in 18 consecutive post-seasoon wild card innings. First by Madison Bumgarner, then by Arrieta. It’s got to be frustrating, as another stellar season in Pittsburgh passes without reaching the next stage.
Stick with us through the post-season as we bring you more live coverage of the playoffs. Until the next time, wherever you are, good morning, good evening and good night.
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Cubs 4-0 Pirates, Final
Cervelli hits it softly to Castro, who closes his glove and the ball game is over! CHICAGO HAVE WON THEIR FIRST PLAYOFF GAME SINCE 2003 AND THE BUCS BOMB AGAIN!
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It’s 1-1 to the Pittsburgh backstop. The third pitch is a slider Cervelli lets pass - it’s 1-2 now. Bucs down to their final strike.
It’s a ground ball to Bryant at third, it’s easy for the kid who throws over to first base for out no2.
Francisco Cervelli is the last line of defense for Pittsburgh.
Arrieta is quickly ahead on McCutchen 0-2, before he harmlessly taps back to the hurler for the first out.
Now comes Marte...
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The Pirates empty the shark tank with closer Mark Melancon entering the game for Pittsburgh, their bid to prevent any tack-on runs from Chicago.
Castro lines a shot to Harrison at short for the first out.
Now it’s Montero, whose soothing chat in the seventh inning helped an unraveling Arrieta keep his cool when the hurler was getting a little testy.
The Cubs backstop grounds out to first for the second out.
Now Addison Russell is quickly down 0-2 but the shortstop recovers, lining a ball down the left field line and off the wall. Marte has a beat on on the bounce, and he fires to second base to nail Russell who was trying to stretch it into a double! That’s the third out!
The Pirates 98-win season is down to its final three outs...McCutchen, Marte and Cervelli coming up.
Harrison whiffs on a ball in the dirt - Montero picks it up and throws to first to finish off the play and the frame - that’s eight, shutout innings for a virtually untouchable Jake Arrieta
Robert Hiaty emails in:
“Did you by chance happen to read Rodriguez’s lips as he stood in the dugout, mouthing off?? I’m sure the dailies will say something,if they don’t it’ll be obvious as to their select blindness. He... as plain as day said...on camera, “ I’ll fu$($ing kill you. Wow, murder in baseball? I thought that was only in the NFL as in National Felons League.”
The police were in the Bucs dugout in-between innings running chalk around that Gatorade jug.
This time though it’s a lazy fly ball to right field that’s easy for Denorfia. Now it’s up to Harrison, 0-2 and hit by a pitch tonight, to keep this inning alive.
After Alvarez strikes out, Mike Morse has a pinch-hit single up the middle.
So one down, one out for Gregory Polanco, who at the very least hit Arieta hard during his last at-bat.
Bartman needs to get moving...
Steve Bartman is in the house. The quick story behind trying to get him to attend: http://t.co/bnbP1TH31E pic.twitter.com/yWVZXZZCp4
— The Sports Quotient (@SportsQuotient) October 8, 2015
Soria catches Rizzo looking for the second out - nine strikeouts for Bucs pitchers tonight...and then it’s 10 after Jackson goes down swinging - side retired.
Pittsburgh have six outs left to figure out Arrieta, who has thrown 87 pitches heading into the eighth.
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Joakim Soria, on in relief of Tony Watson, walks Chris Denorfia, who is on in place of Schwarber for defensive purposes in right field.
Lead-off man on for Chicago and here’s Kris Bryant who is 0-2 with a walk tonight...until he can’t hold back his bat for a check-swing third strike.
One on, one out now with Rizzo stepping in to face the righty.
Paul Stephens emails in:
“So the TBS guy says he hit Arrieta in the fanny? To this Brit that sounds both painful and slightly confusing...”
It’s an anatomy challenged crew tonight.
On a 3-1 pitch, Ramirez hits a scorching a ground ball that Bryant backhands! The kid fires to Castro at second for one, then on to Rizzo at first for two. That’s a 5-4-3 inning-ending DP. Pittsburgh can not catch a break - on to the eighth.
Then they’re down.
Whatever Arrieta’s teammates told the hurler had the desired effect. Walker whiffs and that’s nine strikeouts. Here’s the soon-to-be retired Aramis Ramirez who is pinch-hitting for Jordy Mercer. What will happen? One out and one on...
Arrieta falls behind Walker 2-1 and Montero doesn’t like what he sees. Arrieta is animated on the mound, and that sort of body language also encourages a calming visit from the rest of the Cubs infield and their pitching coach Chris Bosio. Everybody is up in Pittsburgh!
So a year after being hammered by Madison Bumgarner in the wild card game v San Francisco, it’s Jake Arrieta who is looking to finish off Pittsburgh. It looks like they aren’t prepared to go down without a fight, and quite literally.
Cervelli knocks a single to left to get them going in the bottom of the seventh. Now here is the home town boy, Neil Walker, seeking to keep the pressure on.
Seventh inning stretch time
And that means a bad YouTube clip. Apologies in advance.
BENCHES CLEAR!
After Russell strikes out - Watson plunks Arrieta, and he’s not happy!
Everybody is on the field as niceties are exchanged - the Bucs Rodriguez is furious and has to be held back and doesn’t have to seem any interest in stopping. The Cubs, who had cleared away, encroach once more thanks to Rodriguez, who then puts a whoppin on a tub of Gatorade.
Finally, order is restored.
Arrieta hit two Buccos and this was retribution - a purpose pitch that did what it had to do. Will it knock the Cubs machine out of rhythm?
The umps huddle as the bullpen staff return to their storage units. How will they handle it? I believe Rodriguez was tossed.
So, where are we? Two down, Arrieta on, and he takes second without a throw.
Now Fowler, looking for a fourth hit, flies out to right field. Inning over, and here come a fired up bunch of Bucs.
So 74 and six innings in, Jake Arrieta has thrown a shutout, striking out eight while allowing just three hits. I guess it goes without saying that you gotta take your chances when they come against Arrieta, and that didn’t happen.
Meanwhile, Alvarez makes a nifty play on a ground ball towards first base, throwing to new pitcher Tony Watson for the first out of the top of the seventh inning (already).
Arrieta starts him off with a ball in the dirt. The second offering is hit hard to short - Russell makes the stab, tosses underhand to Castro at second for one, he fires to Rizzo at first, who pumps his fist just as the ump raises his! - IT’S AN INNING ENDING DOUBLE PLAY! Arrieta leaps off the mound as he survives his first real threat! Wow!!!
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McCutchen hits a sharp ground ball towards the shortstop - Russell can’t handle it and there’s not play - BASES LOADED! Here comes Marte who represents the tying run!
Austin Jackson is inserted into left field and Bryant heads back to third base where he belongs.
Now, where were we? Oh yes, the bludgeoning. Except there is actually some daylight with a lead-off single by Travis Snider. Is he less machine? Are the wheels starting to squeek?
Polanco LINES ONE TO THE LEFT SIDE....and the Bryant snares it, right after the ball bounces off his glove and into the air, which is taken right out of PNC Park.
But hope is restored with one out - Arrieta hits his second batter of the day - it looks like it’s Harrison’s shoulder which is sending him to first, and we have something of a situation here.
Two on, one out, and McCutchen heading to the plate. It’s enough for Montero to visit Arrieta for a little chat. Fans are up in Yinzerville....
On the bright side, Bastaro looks good - Rizzo and Austin Jackson, who is pinch-hitting for La Stella, are both caught looking.
TBS says Pittsburgh have come from behind 43 times this season, and then follow that with something obvious.
Castro pops to Walker at second and we are done in the top of the sixth.
Gerrit Cole is done, here’s how he did.
5IP 6H 4R 4ER 1BB 4SO 2HR
This is not how it was supposed to go - Cole, pitching with the pressure of knowing even a single could be too much, gave up four. Not good enough. Southpaw Antonio Bastardo replaces the Bucs ace.
Very generous zone on that backdoor slider. Which is nice. @LengelDavid
— Bob Hall (@mebobhall) October 8, 2015
True - computer says both strikeouts in the fifth were outside. Do you think Arrieta needs any favors?
If this battering keeps up, I’m actually going to allow myself to get up and get a snack. Press one for popcorn, two for fruit and three for chocolate.
Alvarez somehow manages to work the count full, and TBS says he hits .335 on 3-2 counts. This is just statistical fodder - Pedro watches a breaking ball paint the corner, as Arrieta’s eighth strikeout retires the side.
He’s thrown just 60 pitches through five masterful innings.
Arrieta pulls the string and Mercer lays off a ball out of the strike zone that home plate umpire Jeff Nelson thinks is outside. That’s seven strikeouts for Mr Automatic. Now he’s ahead 1-2 on Alvarez...
Arrieta plays chin music to Francisco Cervelli, and that pitch actually hit his finger! Maddon is thinking about a challenge, but resists, and the Bucs have a leaf-off runner, only their second of the game! Eesh...
Optimism in the corwd doesn’t last long - Walker quickly hits a fly ball to left that’s easy for Bryant. One out, one on in the bottom of the fifth and here’s Jordy Mercer....
Nobody to talk to at 2:20 am, but @Cubs leaving me speechless on 4 runs. @LengelDavid
— Bob Hall (@mebobhall) October 8, 2015
We’re here for you Bob.
HOME RUN! Cubs 4-0 Pirates, top of 5th
After Arrieta strikes out (see how you like it) Dexter Fowler has his third hit of the night, and this one is in the right field seats! It’s a fastball that’s wild in the strike zone and Fowler is the offensive catalyst tonight. Chicago look a wee bit excited in the dugout.
In other news, Schwarber and Bryant pop out and the inning is over.
Flood waters continue to rise inside this Pirate ship.
As an O's fan, watching Jake Arrieta dominate for the Cubs is like that dude who dumped Kate Upton in high school
— Cespedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) October 8, 2015
Something like that.
Bucs have just a single hit thus far, and this game is moving.
Back-to-back fly ball outs to right field (Bryant handled easily) by Pittsburgh kind of feels like a victory right now. Harrison and McCutchen, who did make reasonable contact, are gone, and now Marte takes a seat after groundout to first.
So the Pirates hold Arrieta to no strikeouts in front of a delighted crowd in Pittsburgh. On the down side, that was a nine pitch inning.
Cubs manager Joe Maddon tells TBS:
Jake looking like Jake, the ball is really jumping out of his hand.
Ya don’t say.
Pirates fans pretend they’re excited when Cole blows away Russell with a fastball for the third out. To borrow a phrase from another franchise, I suppose you’ve gotta believe...right?
Clint Hurdle speaking to TBS television here in the US:
He’s [Cole] got a couple of balls in bad spots...we just got to keep battling and keep competing in the box.
He meant they have to start battling...
Meanwhile, La Stella and Castro ground out before Montero whacks a single to center - there’s two out runner for the Cubs and here’s Addison Russell.
High cheese from Arrieta - Polanco takes the bait, and that’s strikeout no6. The Pirates look like little leaguers right now, and with Arrieta averaging just 12.6 pitches over the first three innings, he’s on pace to take his team to St Louis with room to spare.
Now that defense doesn’t matter a damn, Pedro Alvarez bounces off the Bucs bench to pinch-hit and assume his rightful place in the lineup.
Arrieta, not one to be intimidated by a long, dark beard and a black matte batting helmet, is quickly ahead before making mince meat of the Pirates slugger. That’s his fourth strikeout, and this time it comes courtesy of his curveball.
Now that the Bucs skipper has already burned one man off his bench, there’s no taking out Cole here - he hits, or, more accurately, he misses, three times. That’s 5K’s. Top of the lineup, here’s Polanco trying to throw any kind of wrench in this reign of terror.
Rizzo pops it up and Jordy Mercer makes an over the shoulder catch in shallow left field - Bryant is caught away from the first base bag - he’s doubled up, side retired!
Nice play, and that’ll keep Cole in the game, but...
Kris Bryant walks, and Hurdle is on the bullpen phone. Unless Cher is out there ready to turn back time, I’m not sure how it will help.
HOME RUN! Cubs 3-0 Pirates, top 3rd
Schwarber takes a slider that doesn’t slide and lifts it, well, very very VERY far, beyond the black pale that lies behind right field stands at PNC Park. The baseball is wet, and that is awful news for the home team - Arrieta now has enough runs to win three games.
After Arrieta strikes out (see how how you like it!), Dexter Fowler picks up his second hit, this one falling onto the green in right field. Here comes the meaty part of the Cubs lineup, starting with Schwarber and that lightning quick bat.
Did I mention you could land a small seaplane on Clint Hurdle’s cheeks?
Second inning action continues...
The ump calls time while Arrieta is in his motion facing Francisco Cervelli, and he doesn’t care. Nothing gets to him. He is the most confident man in the world...what better time for TBS television here in the United States to break out his now well documented tweet.
Whatever helps keep your hope alive, just know, it doesn't matter. @Cubs https://t.co/bJDN1wP0tS
— Jake Arrieta (@JArrieta34) October 4, 2015
I suppose it doesn’t.
Cervelli lines to first, Walker strinkes out swinging, Mercer skies to center....
It gets late early around here.
Our first "veteran presence David Ross" conversation of the postseason. For everybody doing Lazy Announcing Trope Bingo. @LengelDavid
— Hunter Felt (@HunterFelt) October 8, 2015
It’s that kind of wisdom that makes his .176 batting average worth his weight in gold, obviously. (whatever that means).
Starlin Castro (not to be confused with Starlin(g) Marte, hits a Baltimore chop in Pittsburgh - Cole leaps off the mound and fires a bullet from the third base side to get the Cubbies second baseman by a step.
Cole is settling in after that rocky first - Miguel Montero bounces over to short where Jordy Mercer is waiting, easy play for the second out.
Now Addison Russel hits a can of corn to center and McCutchen puts it away. Easy, quick inning for Cole.
Here comes the Alaskan looking outdoor enthusiast back out for more.
Jake Arrieta also cured male pattern baldness & erectile dysfunction during warmups #TBSAnnouncers
— Lowell Murray (@pghguyinva) October 8, 2015
And he just may have...
McCutchen lines one up the middle - Arrieta lifts his foot and pivots, “hello sailor” style and the Bucs have a two-out runner with Starling Marte stepping in. He’s quickly down in the count, 0-2...and then can’t handle the high and away stuff.
So the little hiccup matters not, and Arrieta and the Cubs are through one inning with a lead.
So here is Jake Arrieta, who the Yinzers serenade “Ar-eee-ett-ah” at PNC Park.
Arrieta, who couldn’t care less, catches Gregory Polanco looking, before getting Harrison to harmlessly ground out to second. Two down, and here is Andrew McCutchen, who actually has hit Jake just a touch this season.
Resins man is back for playoff action! He emails in:
“Good to see the hollow zombie shell of a Yankees team instantly eliminated. Strange to see Tanaka chanelling the spirit of Daisuke Matsuzaka”
If that’s right, and Tanaka wants to properly match Fatsuzaka, he’ll need to put on 2olbs by spring.
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Cole gets some assistance from his best friend - Kris Bryant bounces to third and Josh Harrison handles it easily, firing to second for one, before Neil Walker chucks it over to Rodriguez at first - double play.
Next is Rizzo, who hits deeply into the shift on the right side of the infield. Rodriguez, using his vast first base experience (thanks Clint), bobbles the ball.
Now the Cubbies have a runer on with two down and here comes under rated Tommy La Stella on to make Maddon look smart...until he doesn’t.
Cole gets him looking for out number three, but the damage is done here in the first.
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RUN! Cubs 1-0 Pirates, top 1st
Young gun Kyle Schwarber dumps a single to left field, and Fowler comes around to score easily. Three batters in and the Cubs already have enough for Arrieta. Gulp.
I'm predicting a Cubs win tonight because it won't be heartbreaking enough for their fans if they lose this early. @LengelDavid
— Hunter Felt (@HunterFelt) October 8, 2015
This was my prediction, as seen in our Guardian roundtable.
“It’s the bottom of the ninth inning in Pittsburgh and Cubs are up 1-0, with two outs and Neil Walker on first base. Jake Arrieta has another no-hitter going against the Pirates, and only Walker, literally throwing his body into the baseball stands between their ace and a perfect Wild Card game. Arrieta is going into the windup with an 0-2 count on Pedro Alvarez when suddenly, and entirely accidentally, the sprinklers go off. Because the forgetful grounds crew forgot to re-program the lawn maintenance for the post-season, Arrieta is completely and totally soaked. He’s furious, so mad in fact that when Joe Maddon walks to the mound to calm him down, Arrieta literally walks him back to the dugout. In the 13th pitch of an epic at-bat, Alvarez goes opposite field in the unlikeliest of Cubs walk-off defeats of all-time … and the curse continues for ever and ever and ever.”
First pitch
Buccos ace Gerrit Cole holds the hopes (and the ball) for the Pirates at PNC Park - he misses outside with the first pitch of the game, and, three pitches later, Chicago’s Dexter Fowler lines a single to center.
Now Fowler is running on the first pitch - tremendous jump and he’s safe on the steal attempt. Bang-bang, here come the Cubs.
Here they are, your Pittsburgh Pirates.
- 1. Gregory Polanco, RF
- 2. Josh Harrison, 3B
- 3. Andrew McCutchen, CF
- 4. Starling Marte, LF
- 5. Francisco Cervelli, C
- 6. Neil Walker, 2B
- 7. Jordy Mercer, SS
- 8. Sean Rodriguez, 1B
- 9. Gerrit Cole, P
Not to be outdone, Buccos manager Clint Hurdle has also hit the pipe before the NL playoff opener. Pedro Alvarez, all hit no glove, has been replaced by all field no hit Sean Rodriguez, who has faced righties while playing at first exactly one time this season. It’s a focus on defense which makes you think Hurdle believes a win will be of the 1-0 variety. I actually believe this is a little less mental than Maddon’s moves.
Here’s the lineup for the visiting Chicago Cubs....
- 1. Dexter Fowler, C
- 2. Kyle Schwarber, RF
- 3. Kris Bryant, LF
- 4. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- 5. Tommy La Stella, 3B
- 6. Starlin Castro, 2B
- 7. Miguel Montero, C
- 8. Addison Russell, SS
- 9. Jake Arrieta, P
I guess Cubs skipper Joe Maddon really really REALLY likes La Stella, who he calls “under rated.” What better time for him to prove that, in the biggest game of these kids lives. Jorge Soler and Chris Coghlan are on the bench and Bryant is in left field for just the fourth time this season - another fun experiment (seriously?). Jake Arrieta hits ninth, which means Addison Russell is in eighth, suddenly, after hitting behind the pitcher in well over 100 games this year.
Joe Maddon, IS, the most interesting man in the world.
So Jake Arrieta is a curse killer? Well, he looks like it considering the ERA he compiled in the second half - a record .075! Pirates fans looking for some good news might consult the law of averages for relief - how long can this rollicking Rambo really keep this up? Perhaps tonight is the night he finally gets touched up, just a tad.
That law works both ways however, the Cubs have lost nine straight playoff games, and, you may have heard, haven’t won the World Series since 1908. Surely that can’t continue forever and ever can it? Perhaps not with this kinetic lineup filled with kids, many of which weren’t even a glimmer in their great, great, great grandfathers eyes the last time the Cubbies won the title.
The teams are being announced at PNC Park: whoever wins tonight during the Pirates and Cubs eighth meeting in 22 days, will earn the right to stand awkwardly on the chalk on Friday in St Louis. How will it end?
Howdy folks and welcome to our live coverage the NL Wild Card Game, a big time encounter compared to the bush league stuff we saw last night in Yankee Stadium. The Astros and Yankees look like the dregs of the league when compared with these two, arguably the best teams in baseball, a pair that combined to win 195 games this season. These ballclubs woke up this morning wondering just what the heck they’re doing in this winner takes all the Cards (see what I did there?) death-match.
“Neither one of us can believe we’re in the wild-card game,” said Cubs manager Joe Maddon.
It’s a real bummer for them, but not a bad match-up for us at all, thank you very much.
Lineups and other stuff coming soon. Please stand by.
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David will be here shortly. In the meantime, here are a few bits and pieces from around the league:
- The Pirates and Cubs take their turn on the national stage, squaring off in the NL wild-card game at PNC Park. This one features two of the game’s best pitchers, as the Bucs’ Gerrit Cole shares the rubber with Chicago’s Cy Young candidate Jake Arrieta. It’ll be the postseason debut for Arrieta, who won 22 games with a 0.75 ERA after the All-Star break this year. Pittsburgh and Chicago had the second- and third-best records in the majors this season, respectively, but one starts their offseason Thursday morning while the other heads to St. Louis for the NL Division Series.
- The Dodgers will face the Mets with Clayton Kershaw on the hill Friday in Game 1 of the other NLDS, but they may do so without outfielder Yasiel Puig. The Cuban star missed a month at the end of the season with a hamstring injury, returning to play the final two games. He has looked “rusty” to manager Don Mattingly, though, and the team isn’t ready to commit a roster spot to Puig just yet.
- The Mets will work out at Citi Field again hoping this time they’ll be joined on time by pitcher Matt Harvey, who showed up late without a public explanation to the team’s mandatory session Tuesday. David Wright sounded annoyed when he told reporters, “It’s about the guys that are here. And the guys that are here, we had a great workout. ... So you will have to talk to Matt about that.” Harvey did not clarify why he was late, saying he “just screwed up.”
- The Royals announced Tuesday that they will start youngster Yordano Ventura in their ALDS opener Thursday night against the Astros, saving Johnny Cueto for Game 2 and Edinson Volquez for the third game. It’s been a rollercoaster year for Ventura, who was briefly demoted to Triple-A Omaha before coming back to post a 4-1 record and 3.14 ERA in seven September starts. The defending AL champions finished with the best record in the league this year.
