Cubs Shut Out Pirates To Move Forward To NLDS

The Chicago Cubs are continuing their late dominance in the National League by posting not only a win, but a shutout against the Pittsburgh Pirates last night in the NL Wild Card Game that was held at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

Chicago ace Jake Arrieta was excellent last night on the mound pitching a complete game shutout with 11 strikeouts and allowing only 4 hits from the Pirates. Center fielder Dexter Fowler and rookie catcher Kyle Schwarber both controlled the batter’s box with monstrous hits that brought in RBIs and solidified the Pirates from ever catching up offensively. This valiant team effort helped move the Cubs to the NLDS, where they will face the St. Louis Cardinals, the team who had the best record in the MLB for the regular season and who forced the Cubs and Pirates to face each other because of their NL Central division win.

A little hostility happened during the top half of the seventh inning when Pirates reliever Tony Watson struck Arrieta in the left side with a wild pitch, causing some words to be exchanged and both dugouts and bullpens to be cleared. This incident happened after Arrieta struck two Pirates hitters, though he has stated that both pitches were unintentional.

The Cubs advancing in the postseason is their first time seeing this road since 2003. Their last World Series appearance happened in 1945 with their last win of the prestigious championship happening in 1908. The road for the Chicago Cubs will be a long one, but there is still light for this young and talented team for weeks to come.