Ex-Cub Factor (Ex-Sox too)/AL Wild Card: Schwarber, Rizzo HR from leadoff spots

Two onetime Chicago Cubs sluggers took on the roles of leadoff hitters in the American League wild-card game Tuesday night - DH Kyle Schwarber for the Red Sox by virtue of his .435 OBP since coming over from Washington this summer; and first baseman Anthony Rizzo, plugged in at the top of the order after the Yankees decided earlier in the day that another former Cub, last year's AL batting leader D.J. LeMahieu, couldn't play because of a sports hernia.

Each responded with home runs. Schwarber hot-dogged his off Gerrit Cole leading off the 3rd and extending Boston's early lead to 3-0. Rizzo popped his around the Pesky Pole off eventual winner Nathan Eovaldi with one out in the 6th to put New York on the board.

Schwarber later walked in the 7th and scored again.

New York had another ex-Cub in the lineup, second baseman Gleybar Torres, who went hitless in his four at-bats, flying out to right in the 9th to end the game.

Yankee closer Aroldis Chapman, a key cog with the Cubs 2016 World Series team, did not get in the game.

Boston did not include Chris Sale, the former White Sox, on the Wild Card roster since he pitched on Sunday. But he is expected to be activated for the AL Division Series against Tampa Bay and is expected to start Game 1 or 2.