Cubs blank Pirates, win wildcard play-off

The Chicago Cubs shutout the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-0 in their MLB National League (NL) wildcard game on Wednesday.

Ace Jake Arrieta became the first pitcher in post-season history to throw a shutout with at least 10 strikeouts and no walks in a complete-game shutout of the Pirates as the Cubs won their first-play game since 2003.

Arrieta also etched his name into the franchises' record books with 11 strikeouts, tying Kerry Wood's Cubs post-season record for strikeouts in a game. He has now thrown 31 consecutive scoreless innings (regular season and post-season).

While Arrieta was dominant, he lost control of a pitch against Francisco Cervelli in the fifth then hit the Bucs' Josh Harrison in the shoulder in the sixth. Whether intentional or not, it drew the ire of the Bucs, who retaliated with reliever Tony Watson plunking Arrieta in his at-bat in the seventh.

Team-mate Schwarber contributed three RBIs as the Cubs - seeking to end a 107-year wait for a World Series championship - set up a NL Division Series against arch-rivals the St Louis Cardinals.

The Cubs, who will lock horns with the Cardinals starting on Friday, have not won the World Series since 1907.

TAKEAWAY The remarkable Cubs season continued as the club recorded its ninth straight win. Kris Bryant, the favourite for NL Rookie of the Year, showed off his stellar defensive skills, juggling a potentially troublesome liner off the bat of Gregory Polanco in the sixth. The next inning, Bryant started an inning-ending double play with a great backhand grab.

TURNING POINT With a runner on, a wild pitch by Arrieta struck Josh Harrison in the sixth, giving the Bucs their first base runner at second. With one out, Andrew McCutchen hit an infield single to load the bases for Starling Marte. Just as the sold-out crowd began to revive, Marte hit a sharp ground ball to shortstop Addison Russell initiating a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.

HERO Schwarber. The Cubs needed just two batters to take the lead in the first as Dexter Fowler singled, then stole second off Gerrit Cole before being driven in by Schwarber. The team"s first selection (fourth overall) in the 2014 draft, Schwarber connected off Cole again in the third inning, blasting an estimated 449-foot two-run homer over the right-field bleachers and out of PNC Park to give the Cubs a 3-0 lead.

GOAT The Pirates' Sean Rodriguez got the start at first base over Pedro Alvarez, but after bobbling a catch in the first inning, the 30-year-old was benched in favour of Alvarez before even getting one at-bat. When the benches cleared after Arrieta was hit by a pitch, Rodriguez was ejected for throwing a punch that grazed Schwarber.

WHAT's NEXT The Cubs will travel to St Louis to face the Cardinals in the NLDS beginning on October 9. John Lackey will take the hill for the Cards, while the Cubs will likely send Jon Lester to face the NL Central champions. The Red Birds bested the Cubs in the regular season, going 11-8 and outscoring Chicago 84-79.