The set-up: Both teams had a chance yesterday in their divisional tie-breakers, but each came up short. Colorado lost 5-2 to the Dodgers and it now flies across the country to face the Cubs, who lost 3-1 to the Brewers. The winner of this Wild Card contest will fly to Milwaukee for the NLDS. Both teams struggled to plate runs yesterday and I think that'll be the case again here as well. The visitors go with Kyle Freeland, while the home side goes with Jon Lester.

The pitchers: Freeland finished the regular season 17-7 with a 2.85 ERA. He went 5-0 in September and he's 9-1 with a 2.41 ERA in 14 starts since the Mid-Summer Classic. He's 0-2 with a 4.15 ERA lifetime against Chicago, but that was then and this is now.

Lester finished the reg. season 18-6 with a 3.32 ERA. He has won his past three starts and four of his five in September overall. In five career starts against the Rockies he's 1-3 with a sharp 2.25 ERA.

The pick: I think this situation favors these red hot starters. Look for Freeland and Lester to battle deep and for this one to fall "under" once it's all said and done.