Arietta Dominates Pirates Advance Cubs To NLDS

GAME RECAP FROM YESTERDAY:

Jake Arrieta and the Cubs took the first step last night in proving that the predictions made in Back To The Future: Part II were right. The man who should be named the 2015 NL Cy Young winner threw a complete game shutout against a playoff tested Pirates team that seemed overmatched from the first to the last pitch. Of course, now Cubs fans will have to settle for Jon Lester opening the NLDS against the 100 win Cardinals… just one of four interesting matchups in this postseason’s roster of division series contests.

POSTSEASON PREDICTIONS (10/6): See my post from October 6th to see how many I have gotten wrong!

Round 1 (Wild Card)

Astros Eliminate Yankees 3-0

Cubs Shutout Pirates 4-0

Round 2 (Division Series)

Astros at Royals (TONIGHT)

Rangers at Blue Jays (TONIGHT)

Cubs at Cardinals (10/9)

Mets at Dodgers (10/9)

PHILS PHACTS:

Phils Continue Trimming Roster – The Phillies have started to clean up their 40-man roster in preparation for a potentially busy offseason. They announced Wednesday they had outrighted the following players from the roster: right-hander Justin De Fratus, infielder Chase d'Arnaud, outfielder Jordan Danks, catcher Erik Kratz and left-handers Adam Loewen and Ken Roberts. Right-hander Jonathan Pettibone also was outrighted after being activated from the 60-day disabled list. "I can't tell you we would rule out re-signing any of these guys," Phillies interim general manager Scott Proefrock said. "We're just trying to clear up space on the roster. These guys were the first group that we decided to take off." De Fratus, Kratz, d'Arnaud and Loewen have the right to become free agents immediately. De Fratus, Loewen and Kratz were eligible for salary arbitration. Pettibone and Danks can become Minor League free agents five days following the World Series. Roberts will remain in the Phillies' system. De Fratus, who the Phillies selected in the 11th round of the 2007 Draft, is the most notable name in the group to be outrighted because he spent the entire season with the team. He went 0-2 with a 5.51 ERA in 61 appearances this season after going 7-4 with a 3.08 ERA in 130 appearances from 2011-14. The Phillies viewed him as a long man by the end of the season, which made the idea of going into salary arbitration with him unappealing. "We thought there were other guys that had passed him, quite frankly," Proefrock said. Expect the roster transformation to continue as the offseason continues. "I'd say we're going to be active in continuing this process," Proefrock said. "We're trying to get ready for free agency and the other opportunities that present itself in the offseason -- whether it be the Rule 5 Draft or Minor League free agents -- giving ourselves the best opportunity to be as aggressive as possible as the calendar moves forward."

THE BEGINNING:

The Phillies finally put an end to the season finishing in last place in the NL East with a record of 63-99. Given the departures, aging stars, injuries, and bipolar performances this season, this has ended up being one of the worst seasons in franchise history! All time, the Phillies are 3-0-1 on this day.