NL Wild Card GameThread: Colorado Rockies at Chicago Cubs

Colorado lost to LA and Chicago lost to Milwaukee, so the Rockies and Cubs are in the NL Wild Card game tonight in Wrigley Field, playing a one-off game to decide who moves on and takes on the Brewers in the NLDS.

The Rockies and Cubs split their season series, 3-3, and each scored 33 runs in those six games, with the Cubs dropping 2 of 3 in Wrigley.

Kyle Freeland, who starts for the visiting Rockies tonight, gave up six hits, a walk, and three runs, taking the loss in the one game the Cubbies won in that series in Chicago, all the way back on April 30th.

Freeland heads into tonight’s start unbeaten in his last 11 outings, at (8-0) over that stretch, with a 2.18 ERA, 23 walks, 68 Ks, and a .234/.297/.326 line against in 70 ¹⁄₃ innings pitched over that stretch.

Cubs’ lefty Jon Lester actually matched up with Freeland in that outing, giving up five hits, two walks, and two unearned runs, but he received no decision in the loss.

Lester ended the season strong, with a (4-1) record in his last five starts, in which he put up a 1.52 ERA, eight walks, 30 Ks, and a .259/.306/.330 line against over 29 ²⁄₃ IP.

Chicago finished the regular season 20 games over .500 at 51-31 in Wrigley Field. Colorado was six games over .500 on the road, finishing up at 44-38 outside of Coors Field.

It all comes down to tonight’s game for both teams, with Joe Maddon and Bud Black’s clubs battling it out to see who moves on to the Division Series.

HERE ARE THE LINEUPS FOR THE NL WILD CARD GAME IN WRIGLEY FIELD: