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5 postseason keys for the Pittsburgh Pirates

By Nathaniel Reeves

Sep 30, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Charlie Morton (50) delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Charlie Morton (50) delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 30, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Have Gerrit Cole pitch the game of his life

To even think about reaching the World Series, the Pirates will first have to navigate the perils of a one-game playoff. Many on Pittsburgh’s roster have been through this before, as this will be the team’s third consecutive NL Wild Card Game.

In most cases, the Pirates would have a comfortable pitching matchup advantage in a do-or-die scenario. Pittsburgh will give the ball to ace Gerrit Cole, who has put together a tremendous season while emerging as one of the best pitchers in the Majors.

However, the Cubs will be able to counter with one of the few major league pitchers better than Cole. Jake Arrieta, arguably the NL Cy Young favorite, will be on the hill for Chicago, leading to one of the better playoff pitching matchups in recent memory.

Arrieta has been untouchable in the second half of the season, posting an 0.80 ERA with a 28 percent strikeout rate per FanGrahps.com. Needless to say, the Pirates will need to have Cole be at his very best to have a chance at advancing past Arrieta and the Cubs.

While beating Arrieta is a daunting task, Cole is one of the few pitchers who has the ability to go toe-to-toe with him. Cole has posted a 2.60 ERA (2.66 FIP) in 32 starts this season according to FanGraphs and has the potential to dominate in any given outing.

Offense will be at a premium, so the Pirates can’t afford any mistakes if Cole is going to outduel Arrieta.

Next: Lock down the back-end

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