Cub Tracks Crosses The River

Since so much of this edition of Cub Tracks is going to focus on the Wild Card game and the upcoming Divison Series, we'll be going with a different presentation format this time around.

Wild Card Game Reactions:

• Patrick Mooney says that Jake Arrieta is at the top of his game right now and that it looks like it would take a superhuman effort to beat him in October.
• Joe Posnanski writes about Arrieta, who he says is currently channeling his inner Bob Gibson.
• Joe Maddon on Arrieta: "Jake is a different cat, man."
• Barry Rozner writes that with the way Arrieta has been pitching lately, you can't blame the Cubs for thinking the Wild Card game was over before it started.
• Jesse Rogers was in the middle of the post-game celebration and has some highlights from the party.
• [VIDEO] Ryan Dempster was also in the celebration mix, channeling his inner Haray Caray.
• Also in the middle of the party was Chris Emma, who writes that this year's team isn't afraid of anything.
• More photo highlights from the post-game celebration, including a drenched Theo Epstein.
• Phil Rogers writes that there's a feeling of something special happening for the Cubs, and it's happening quicker than anyone expected.
• Jon Greenberg calls this year's team a free-spirited group that is making its own luck while not being burdened by the sense of hope that is growing in the city.
• Jayson Stark has a simple message from the Wild Card Game: Don't mess with these Cubs.
• Jesse Rogers also writes that the Cubs' rookies proved that they can handle the big moments of the playoffs after their performances on the field on Wednesday.
• MLB Statcast take a look back at some of the key moments from the Wild Card game including the homers by Kyle Schwarber and Dexter Fowler.
• Paul Casella looks at 10 of the top facts from the Wild Card game on Wednesday.
• David Schoenfield looks at five key moments from the Wild Card game.
• ESPN Stats and Information looks at some of the numbers from the Wild Card game including the locations of Arrieta's strikeout pitches.
• David Ross, on the bench-clearing incident: "We're not here to fight those guys. That's not what we came here to do."
• There was an injury that came out of the plunking of Jake Arrieta -- to the ball, that is, according to Jon Lester.
• Pirates' first-baseman Sean Rodriguez apologized for his role in the incident, including an apology to the Gatorade cooler that felt his wrath.
• Looking for some GIFs from Wednesday's game? Here's a collection of nine of them from MLB.com.
• The Daily Herald says that along with the celebration from Wednesday's win, there are some life lessons that can be learned as well.

NLDS News:

• What's it going to be like to face the Cardinals for the first time in the playoffs? Theo Epstein's viewpoint: "It's going to be incredible."
• Ed Sherman has an interesting take on the upcoming series: If only Harry Caray were around to see this.
• Anthony Castrovince calls the National League Division Series against the Cardinals a fascinating one between the NL Central's perennial power and its rising one.
• Phil Rogers writes that the intrigue is just getting started, especially after the events in the last Cubs-Cardinals series at Wrigley Field.
• For Mike Imrem, the upcoming series is the Cardinals' mystique versus the Cubs' magical mystery tour.
• Another big element to the upcoming series is the goal of seizing control of the NL Central, writes Mark Gonzales.
• David Haugh writes that the upcoming NLDS is all about Joe Maddon, from the decisions he makes during the games to the tone he sets between them.
• If you're headed to St. Louis to see either (or both) of the first two games, Diane Dungey has a guide to some things to see in the city.
• Tim Kurkjian looks at five key questions in the upcoming matchup between the Cubs and Cardinals.
• The Cubs have set their rotation for the NLDS. Kyle Hendricks will get the start in Game 2, with Jake Arrieta starting in Game 3. Jason Hammel is slated to start Game 4 unless he gets used out of the bullpen in any of the first three games.
• AJ Cassavell breaks down the NLDS matchup against the Cardinals position by position.
• Greg Garno gives a tale of the tape for the starting pitchers in Game 1: Jon Lester and John Lackey.
• Lester isn't treating his start in Game 1 as being any different that any other start.
• A key moment in Game 1, according to Adam Berry, will be Lester's ability to keep the Cardinals from being overly-aggressive on the basepaths against him.
• Ryan Dempster and Kevin Youkilis are both happy to see Lester back in the playoffs.
• Joe Maddon doesn't feel much pressure now that the Wild Card game is over: "We played Game 7 already."
• What does Tim Baffoe think of the city of St. Louis and its fans? Well... I'll just let him tell you.
• Paul Sullivan agrees, saying that the Cardinals have quite frankly jumped the shark.
• Burt Constable writes that while the win against the Pirates was great, the upcoming series will give fans a chance to see the Cubs finally do something the Cardinals' postseason dominance.
• Will Leitch writes that the rivalry between Cubs and Cardinals fans will be forever different after this series, especially throughout downstate Illinois where the mix of Cubs and Cardinals fans changes as you move closer to each city.
• Right in the heart of that mix is Bloomington, writes Mitch Dudek, where baseball loyalty is split almost down the middle between the two teams.
• And then there's the South Side -- well, at least a bar on the South Side -- where every time the Cardinals hit a home run in the upcoming series, you can get a free beer. Nothing but love in Chicago.
• As for fans in St. Louis, some are worried about the Cubs' improvement while others feel that they have nothing to fear.
• Rick Morrissey writes while the rivalry could theoretically be bigger, what it currently is will do.
• Jason Gay writes that if you think there's a sweaty Cubs fever now, just wait to see how much it climbs over the next few days.
• Who's the favorite in the upcoming series between the Cubs and the Cardinals? For one bookmaker, there isn't one.
• Jack Bales writes that one thing is for sure with the upcoming series: It's time to finally banish the curse of the billy goat to the dust bin of mythology where it belongs.
• The food wagers have already begun to take shape, with the city of Chicago putting up food from Portillo's, Lou Malnati's, and Harry Caray's as part of its city wager with St. Louis. No word yet on what St. Louis is wagering in return. Pro tip: Just make sure to not settle for anything with Provel on it.

In Other Cubs News:

• Joe Maddon believes that Dave Martinez is ready to be a major-league manager.
• Jake Arrieta and Matt Carpenter look back at the days when they were college teammates at TCU.
• There's another matchup between old friends in the NLDS as Jon Lester faces off against his old friend and former Red Sox teammate John Lackey.
• Phil Rogers give his list of the 10 most compelling moments between the Cubs and the Cardinals over the course of the 2,300-plus times that they have faced each other.
• Kerry Wood is moving to Winnetka, having recently purchased a six-bedroom, 11,000-square-foot mansion for $4.2 million.
• Not necessarily Cubs-related: Are you tired of seeing erectile dysfunction ads during the playoffs? So is Adam Wainwright.
• And, finally... What would it look like to have Jake Arrieta's face shaved onto your head? Well, something like this.