Cubs Have Lined Up Jake Arrieta To Start In NL Wild-Card Game

(CBS) As expected, every indication from the Cubs is that ace right-hander Jake Arrieta will get the starting nod in the potential NL wild-card game on Oct. 7.

Chicago has lined up Arrieta to pitch in that contest, manager Joe Maddon confirmed to the Tribune and other outlets Wednesday. With a 9-game lead for the second wild-card spot while trailing the Cardinals by 6.5 games in the NL Central entering play Wednesday, it's highly probably that the Cubs will end up in the win-or-go-home game.

As it sits now, Arrieta could pitch Wednesday, Sept. 30 in Cincinnati and then rest until the following Wednesday's wild-card matchup.

The Pirates are likely to be the Cubs' opponent in that game, and they've taken steps to make sure their ace is ready too. Pittsburgh will skip Gerrit Cole's start Thursday so he's lined up for the wild-card game as well, according to reports.

Arrieta is 18-6 with a 2.03 ERA. Cole is 16-8 with a 2.54 ERA.