One Game, One Incredible Pitching Matchup

It's not often in baseball that you can say one run might win it. However, with the pitchers who oppose each other in tonight's National League Wild Card, that's exactly what could happen.

Combined, tonight's starting pitchers have won 41 games this year, good for the top two spots in the National League. They've both struck out more than 200 while walking less than 50. Neither of them has given up 200 hits on the season. Yes, Jake Arrieta (Cubs) versus Gerrit Cole (Pirates) is the thing of legend. Now the game itself just has to live up to the billing.

Jake Arrieta of the Cubs has had a phenomenal year with 22 victories and only six losses, and he's closed it stronger than ever. Over the last month, he's won five games. His earned run average during that time is 0.39. During the last month, an average of just over five runners have been getting on base against him, in every nine innings pitched. Incredible! Give the guy the Cy Young Award right now. You know he'd trade that for a win tonight. His numbers against the Pirates this season? 3-0 with an ERA of 0.75.

Gerrit Cole of the Pirates was 19-8 during the regular season and has won his last five decisions, including two over the Cubs. They were all considered "quality starts," with at least six innings pitched and three earned runs or less. Cole's season-long numbers are impressive but pale in comparison to Arrieta's. However, almost no one measures up. His stat line against Chicago this year features a 2-1 mark with an ERA of 2.13.

It's a real shame the Pirates and Cubs with their 98 and 97 victories, respectively, are on the field tonight while division winners New York (Mets) and Los Angeles (Dodgers) who won 90 and 92 are in the National League Division Series already.

The Cubs make their first postseason appearance since 2008 while the Pirates are playing in the Wild Card game for the third straight year. Will the experience help Pittsburgh? I don't think so. The Cubs don't strike me as a team that feels pressure. Whatever happens tonight, it should be quite a game. First pitch is at 7:08 on TBS and I don't know a single baseball fan who's going to miss it.

[via ESPN]