On Deck will be here all season to provide you with everything you need to know (and a few things you don't) about every playoff series during the 2015 season.
The Teams: The Cubs and Pirates have been locks for the Wild Card Game for seemingly months now, and here we are. Unfortunately for the Pirates, they draw the best pitcher in baseball since the all-star break and a likely NL Cy Young winner in a one-game playoff.
Past 2015 Meetings: The Pirates went 8-11 against the Cubs this season as the Cubs took four of seven matchups in September.
Pitching Matchups: Jake Arrieta (22-6, 1.77 ERA) vs. Gerrit Cole (19-8, 2.60)
What's Hot: Denton native Austin Jackson is on a tear and has a been a key piece to the Cubs' success since he was acquired at the trade deadline from Seattle. He has eight RBIs and his batting .400 over his last five games. Anthony Rizzo has six RBIs in the same span and is batting .318 with a homer. Arrieta's exploits this year have been well documented, and in his last regular-season start he fired six shutout innings with seven strikeouts and no walks.
What's Not: Rookie phenom Kris Bryant has just one hit in his last four games but does have five walks.
