For weeks, it’s been seemingly inevitable that the Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates would play Oct. 7 in the National League wild card game.
But what if the Pirates catch the St. Louis Cardinals and knock the three-time defending NL Central champions down to the glorified one-game playoff?
“The one thing I am amused about is everybody takes for granted that (we’re going to play) a one-game playoff for the wild card,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. “That still tickles me.”
Pittsburgh’s 4-0 loss to the Cubs Sunday means they’ll welcome the Cardinals to PNC Park Monday night with a three-game deficit in the division.