Cubs' Arrieta Fires Shot Ahead Of Wild Card Game

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The Pittsburgh Pirates are gearing up for their Wild Card matchup with the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday.

While they don't need extra motivation for a winner-take-all game, Cubs' star pitcher Jake Arrieta may have given them some.

After yesterday's 4-0 win over the Reds, fans took to Twitter to celebrate having home field advantage for the Wild Card.

A parody account of the Pirate Parrot told Arrieta to, "Be ready for the sea of black."

In case you were wondering, the Pirates have called for another blackout at PNC Park for the game.

Normally, professional athletes don't respond to such things on Twitter. Not Arrieta.

He responded, "Whatever helps keep your hope alive, just know, it doesn't matter."

According to an ESPN article, he has a 0.41 ERA over his last 12 starts. For those keeping track, that's kind of good.

Given his historic second half of the season, he's probably earned the right to talk a little trash.

Hopefully, giving the Pirates some bulletin board material will be his undoing Wednesday night. All good things must come to an end, right?