The Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates collide in the National League Wild Card game. It doesn't get any bigger than this. Not only do these two teams hate each other to the tenth degree, but this is a winner-take-all game. The winner of this game will play the St. Louis Cardinals in the next round.

Let's preview the game and pick a winner

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs finished the season 97-65 to make their first playoff appearance since 2008. These Cubs have been fighting all year long with elite pitching and timely hitting. The Cubs won't be home at Wrigley Field for this game, but they posted a 48-33 road record this year. That's the best road mark in the entire league.

Jake Arrieta will get the start for the Cubs. Arrieta is the favorite to win the CY Young in the NL this season and for good reason. Arrieta posted a 22-6 record on the mound with an incredible 1.77 ERA. Even more impressive, Arrieta has not lost a single game since the All Star break with an ERA under 1.00.

The Cubs have been on a hot streak lately. Joe Maddon's team has won their last eight games, and they match up well against the Pirates. The Cubs are 11-8 against the Pirates this year. Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant had a combined 100 RBI this year, and they will be needed in this game now more than ever.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Cubs have a great road record and an ace on the mound, but the Pirates are no slouches themselves. The Pirates had a strong 53-28 record at home this year, and Gerrit Cole will get the start on Wednesday. Cole won a career high 19 games this season.

Unfortunately for the Pirates, Jung Ho Kang will not play because of a broken leg he suffered in September, which came against the Cubs. Andrew McCutchen and Starling Marte will be leading the offense in this NL Central showdown.

The Pirates had one of their winningest seasons ever in franchise history this year with 98 victories, but like the Cubs, it's been a long time since they've been at the top. Maybe not as long as the Cubs World Series drought which dates back 1908, but the Pirates haven't won it all since 1979. As a matter of fact, the Pirates have only won one playoff series since winning that championship in 1979.

Schedule

The Cubs and Pirates will play each other on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 8 p.m. EDT at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The game will be shown on ESPN.

Prediction

The Pirates are a great team and they'll be at home, but how can you bet against Arrieta in this one? The Cubs have been on a mission all season long, and anything is possible when you have that elite pitcher on the mound. Plus, "Back to the Future 2" says the Cubs will win.

Cubs win 3-2

Follow Damon Salvadore on Twitter @DamonSalvadore1