CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- The matchup of the Cubs and Rockies in the National League wild-card game Tuesday night at Wrigley Field is compelling on several levels.
Among them, it reminds to when this Cubs core first crashed onto the scene, beating the Pirates in the wild-card game in Pittsburgh in 2015. It was the lone time the Cubs have played in the wild-card game.
"For most of us, that was our first taste of playoff baseball," Anthony Rizzo said. "It is such a big difference from the World Series or other playoff experience. We will be ready. It will be a fun game. It will be a fun atmosphere. I will take our team every day when we have home-field advantage here."
The Cubs are facing an elimination game after blowing what was a five-game lead in the NL Central on Sept. 2. The Brewers charged back by winning 20 of their final 26 games, which included a 3-1 victory against the Cubs in Game 163 on Monday afternoon at Wrigley Field.
The Rockies also lost a Game 163 on Monday, falling 5-2 to the Dodgers in Los Angeles. After a long flight to Chicago, Colorado will turn to left-hander Kyle Freeland (17-7, 2.85 ERA), who will be pitching on three days rest for the first time in his career. For that reason and because the Rockies have a bullpen they trust and invested in heavily in the offseason, manager Bud Black will likely have a short leash with Freeland. The Rockies bullpen includes former Cubs closer Wade Davis, who led the NL with 43 saves and posted a 4.13 ERA and 1.06 WHIP.
The Cubs will counter with left-hander Jon Lester (18-6, 3.32), who will likely have more leeway from manager Joe Maddon. The Cubs bullpen does get reliever Pedro Strop back Tuesday after he dealt with a hamstring injury, but it has still been taxed a great deal and encountered trouble.
Lester and the Cubs bullpen -- which will have starter Cole Hamels available in relief -- will have to be wary of a pair of Rockies sluggers in third baseman Nolan Arenado and shortstop Trevor Story. Arenado hit .297 with an NL-best 38 homers and 110 RBIs. Story hit .291 with 37 homers and 108 RBIs.
The Cubs and Rockies split six games in 2018. Lester and Freeland squared off at Wrigley Field on April 30, with the Cubs winning 3-2. Lester went 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs, both unearned, on five hits and three walks while striking out five. Freeland was strong as well, going seven innings and allowing three runs, all earned, on six hits and a walk while striking out five.
If the Cubs are to win Tuesday, they know they must show more life offensively. They've been held to three or fewer runs in 15 of their past 27 games.
"It will be all about having good at-bats," Rizzo said. "Usually if you have good at-bats, good things come out of it. You can have one guy go off that you don't expect. That is just the way the game is. You have to roll with the punches, get back up and keep going."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
