Giants vs. Pirates, 2014 N.L. Wild Card Game: Time, TV schedule, live stream and starting pitchers

The San Francisco Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates came up short in their respective divisional races during the season, but both are within a win of the NLDS with Wednesday's Wild Card game on tap. San Francisco has won the World Series twice in the last four years and is back in the postseason after missing out in 2013. The Pirates, on the other hand, are returning to October for the second straight campaign following their thrilling run a year ago.

If the Giants will have any advantage Wednesday, it will be because of Madison Bumgarner, who has developed into the club's ace six years into his career. Still just 25, Bumgarner finished the 2014 season with a 2.98 ERA and 3.05 FIP in 217⅓ innings pitched. He struck out more than fives times as many batters as he walked and was also named to his second All-Star team. In six career playoff starts, Bumgarner has a 3.79 ERA.

The Pirates will hand the ball to Edinson Volquez, who has enjoyed a bounce-back year in his first season with Pittsburgh. Following a disastrous tenure with the Padres and Dodgers the past two years, the Pirates signed Volquez last winter, hoping to rejuvenate the once-promising right-hander's career. The result has been a 3.04 ERA over 31 starts, but a strikeout-to-walk ratio that is less than impressive. Volquez's success in 2014 is a credit to the Pirates' coaching staff and front office. But a matchup against Bumgarner and the Giants with Pittsburgh's season on the line will be a tall order.

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