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Aug 5, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner (40) throws a pitch against the Atlanta Braves in the second inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
As I write this, the Pittsburgh Pirates currently hold a 3.5-game lead over the Chicago Cubs for the first Wild Card spot, and a six-game lead over the San Francisco Giants for the second Wild Card spot. No, we don’t want to resign ourselves to another seat in the NL Wild Card game, but, admittedly, it will be difficult to catch the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central, as they currently hold a six-game lead over the Pirates. But if the Pirates do end up in the Wild Card game, who are some of the pitchers that they could face? There are a few different teams that could end up opposite them in that spot. Let’s break down a few aces that could oppose Gerrit Cole or Francisco Liriano on the mound at the beginning of October.
Next: Jake Arieta