The Pirates haven’t won a playoff series since 1979. The Cubs may not have won a World Series in more than 100 years but in 2003 they beat the Braves in the NLDS. So whose drought is worse?
Braves fans will note some familiar subplots. In 2012 Kris Medlen, like Jake Arrieta, was unhittable in the second half (0.94 ERA, 64 HA in 95 IP). But he didn’t fool many Cardinal batters in the Wild Card game, giving up 5 runs (2 earned) in 6-1/3. Arrieta has been more dominant — the Pirates have three extra base hits in 125 AB’s against him this year — but that guarantees nothing.