NL Central

Despite posting baseball's second-best regular-season record and hosting their third consecutive National League Wild Card Game, the Pittsburgh Pirates are heading home after a 4-0 loss at the hands of Jake Arrieta and the Chicago Cubs.

FINAL SCORE: Cubs 4-0 Pirates

The Cubs are moving on.

In a game that had pitcher's duel written all over it, Jake Arietta answered the call and helped lead the Chicago Cubs to a 4-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League Wild Card Game on Wednesday night.

Arrieta was masterful, twirling a complete-game four-hitter while striking out 11 Buccos. He worked through the game unscathed until the Pirates rallied the bases loaded in the sixth inning. However, Starling Marte ripped into a double play to end the threat.

The Chicago Cubs will need dominating pitcher Jake Arrieta to bring out his inner bear when taking on Gerrit Cole and the Pittsburgh Pirates in Wednesday night's NL Wild Card Game—what is sure to be a hard-fought, low-scoring affair.

The focus has all been on the other guy, all about what Jake Arrieta has done and how unfair it is that the Pittsburgh Pirates' 98-win season now hinges on finding a way around him in the National League Wild Card Game.

But what about Gerrit Cole?

To say that Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta had a good second half to his season would be an understatement—a big one.

It is easy to overlook a team like the St. Louis Cardinals—which seemingly makes the playoffs every season—merely winning a division, but its 2015 National League Central championship was quite a feat.

Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo was hit by a pitch for the 30th time this season during Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds, joining Don Baylor (1986) as the only two players in MLB history to hit 30 home runs and get hit by 30 pitches in the same season, per ESPN Stats & Info.

The Cincinnati Reds are reportedly considering several options for their 2016 coaching staff, including whether to retain manager Bryan Price. No final decisions are expected until after the regular season comes to a close.  

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The St. Louis Cardinals have managed to remain in first place in the National League Central despite suffering a number of injuries to key players. Now, they'll have to figure out how to replace Stephen Piscotty's spark in the lineup.

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St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez saw his Friday start against the Milwaukee Brewers cut short, and afterward, it was revealed he suffered a shoulder strain that will end his season. 

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