Senior League Wild Card: Cubs @ Pirates

Pity the poor Cubs.  They have never won a World Series since 1908, a 106 year drought that is the longest of any North American professional sports club, though they did make an appearance as recently as 1945(!).

That does somewhat understate their ability as they have made the playoffs 5 times in the last 10 years.

They are one of the oldest franchises and until 1908 were called the White Stockings, a name they abandoned that was taken over by the White Sox, Chicago’s Junior League team.  We won’t get to see historic Wrigley Field (yes, the gum guy and 1916) unless they happen to win.

The Pirates are another very old team that’s been somewhat more successful than the Cubs.  They have 5 Championships but are a long way away from their glory days of the 70s.  Their recent record only boasts 3 Wild Card games in the last 10 years.  We’ll be playing in the much, much newer PNC Park tonight because of their superior record (98 – 64 v. 97 – 65).

The Pirates will be sending Gerrit Cole (R, 19 – 8, 2.60 ERA) to the hill.  The Cubs will counter with Jake Arrieta (R, 22 – 6, 1.77 ERA).

Game starts at 8 pm on TBS.