Cubs Win NL Wild Card Game

The Chicago Cubs won a postseason game for the first time since 2003. That’s quite a stretch.

Not quite so long as the 107 years since their last World Series title, but they’re going to have to take this a game at a time.

The Cubs beat the host Pittsburgh Pirates 4-0 on Wednesday night in the National League wild-card game, advancing to the Divisional Series beginning Friday night against the St. Louis Cardinals.

For virtuoso performances, it would be hard to top Jake Arrieta’s effort on the mound for the Cubs. Arrieta shut out the Pirates on four hits while striking out 11. He got out of his only jam in the sixth inning with a bases-loaded double play. Arrieta has now thrown 31 consecutive scoreless innings.

For youthful vigor, look no further than Cubs rookie Kyle Schwarber, who belted a 450-foot home run and drove in three runs.

The Pirates? Great season, thanks much, bye now. Again. They were eliminated in the wild-card game for the second straight year, this time before a record home crowd. Their 98 regular-season wins were second-best in the majors.

The American League Divisional Series gets going on Thursday, with the Texas Rangers playing the Toronto Blue Jays at 3:30 p.m. and the Houston Astros meeting the Kansas City Royals at 7:30 p.m.
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman .