7th Oct - NL Wildcard Pirates vs Cubs

This year’s National League Wildcard game features two teams that will believe they have a legitimate shot at a World Series title. They both gave the St Louis Cardinals a good run for the NL Central title, and the Cards finished with MLB’s best record.

The key for both sides is a quality starting pitching rotation, backed up by good bullpens, perhaps made to look slightly better by the rotations. That could hardly be better illustrated than on Wednesday night when aces Gerrit Cole and Jake Arrieta go head-to-head.

Arrieta couldn’t have pitched much better for Chicago this season. He finished with an MLB leading 22 wins and posted an ERA of just 0.75 since the All-Star break. He’s been slated to start this game for some time and there’s possibly no better candidate than Arrieta to appear in this match-up.

Cole might be one of the few who could match Arrieta. A first round pick in 2011, he has emerged as a serious force this season finishing with a 19-8 record and 2.60 ERA. He finished the season with three straight impressive outings, including strong performances against playoff teams St Louis and the Dodgers.

Three Reasons for Betting Tips

1. Home disadvantage

We’re rolling with the road team in this match-up. Playing away from home has been an advantage in this match-up of late with the away team winning six of the last nine match-ups here. The Cubs themselves are on a three-game winning streak in Pittsburgh.

2. Jake Arrieta

He should win the NL Cy Young award and a 0.75 ERA since the All-Star break is out of this world. The stakes are higher here, but we think Arrieta will just keep feeling good against a line-up he knows well.

3. Kris Bryant

The rookie has injected something different into these Cubs this season and we’re banking on him to deliver another crucial performance tonight.