Cubs Carry Plenty Of Confidence Into Playoffs

(CBS) When the Cubs square off against the Pirates next Wednesday in the NL wild-card game, they'll do so as the newcomers to the postseason.

In contrast to a Cubs team that uses as many as four rookies in its everyday lineup, the Pirates have been in wild-card game each of the past two seasons, winning it in 2013 against the Reds before falling to the eventual champion Giants last season.

While the Cubs lack postseason experience, there's one trait they're not lacking: confidence.

Right-hander Jason Hammel expressed such a sentiment after Thursday's win in Cincinnati.

"We're good," Hammel told CSNChicago.com. "And we know it."

Of course, much of that confidence stems from the fact that ace right-hander Jake Arrieta is scheduled to take the mound. Arrieta's been nearly unhittable in the second half of the season, going 11-1 with a 0.80 ERA in that stretch. Arrieta is scheduled to make his final regular-season start Friday night at Milwaukee, where he's expected to have a slightly lighter workload in the 90-pitch range. He would then have his normal four days of rest before the wild-card game.

As for the location of that game, the Pirates have a magic number of two to clinch for it to be played at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh has a two-game lead over Chicago with three games left for each team, the Cubs facing the Brewers and the Pirates facing the Reds.

If the teams finish in a tie, the Cubs would host the game because they won the regular-season series.