Rozner: Cubs-Pirates may very well have been playoff preview
More than 40,000 people showed up for a party Friday afternoon at Wrigley Field.
The media was in a lather, the players anxious and the manager in a hurry to get it started.
And while it would have been something less than a coronation, it would have nevertheless been a reason for Cubs players and fans to pour cold beverages all over one another.
Problem is, the Pirates didn't get their invitation - and they poured cold water all over the Cubs' celebration.
"Honestly, we couldn't care less what they're trying to do," said Bucs superstar Andrew McCutchen, when asked if sensed the crowd's anticipation. "We're trying to take care of us. We can't worry about anyone else. We control what we control."
With a cold wind blowing straight in off Lake Michigan, this one had an October feel to it as Pittsburgh took down the Cubs 3-2 and increased their lead in the wild card race to 4½ games.
With only 9 games remaining and barring a Pirates collapse, it's a pretty good bet the Cubs will be in Pittsburgh on Oct. 7 for the wild-card playoff game.
Of course, Pittsburgh has other designs. The Pirates - winners of seven straight - are trying to avoid participating in the coin-flip game for the third straight year, and still have their eyes on St. Louis.
"We want to win the division, so we just go play every day," McCutchen said. "We don't care about what anyone else does. We care about this locker room.
"We know the Cubs are a good team. Their record says that. But we worry about us."
They didn't have to worry much early Friday as Bucs starter Gerrit Cole (18-8) allowed just a run on 4 hits in 7 innings, bettering Jon Lester (10-12), who took advantage of the wind and let the Pirates swing away, giving up only 2 runs on 5 hits in 7 innings.
Down 3-1 in the ninth, the Cubs got a run back on a Starlin Castro triple, but stranded a man at third with one out when closer Mark Melancon struck out Jorge Soler and Javy Baez on pitches in the dirt for his 51st save in 53 tries.
"When we get to the seventh, eighth, ninth innings, we know we can put games away," said Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle. "We expect that."
It's a devastating bullpen that could line the Pirates up nicely for a long October run if they can get through that wild-card game, and Cole is certainly the guy Jake Arrieta will face.
Cole is 7-1 against the Cubs and the Pirates have won 8 of his 9 starts against the North Siders. In his last 4 starts, Cole has faced four playoff teams and allowed 7 runs in 27 innings, with the Pirates winning all four.
"He's got a competitive chip that's special, combined with an elite skill set and a desire to be the guy," Hurdle said of Cole. "He has shown the ability in September so we try to map him out for these types of games."
Cole is hot, no doubt, but he's not Arrieta hot. At least, not yet.
"Big outing for him today," Hurdle said. "Great experience for him in a great environment."
It did have a playoff atmosphere, and whether the game's played in Chicago or Pittsburgh, Arrieta vs. Cole threatens be something special.
"Haven't even thought about it. We have games to play yet," Cole said. "But the Cubs are really good. They have a lot of really good hitters with a really good approach and they put good swings on the ball.
"That's a really impressive young team."
But the Cubs were done sneaking up on teams after they turned a St. Louis runaway into an entertaining, three-team race.
"I love playing in what is perceived to be the best division in baseball," said Cubs manager Joe Maddon. "I really respect what both of the other teams have done.
"I like to believe that we've pushed them a little bit in this particular season. That's kind of cool. It's great for baseball. It's great for us. I think it's aided us in getting better quicker."
The Cubs will need the next two to have any shot at chasing down Pittsburgh, and though the Cubs may be the story of the year in baseball, the Pirates don't seem the slightest bit intimidated.
"We'll show up the next couple days and find out," Hurdle said. "Great crowd, great environment and great games."
Playoff baseball is always that way.
brozner@dailyherald.com
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