Each start, I keep thinking Jake Arrieta can’t look any better. And, hell, I was a guy who was preaching his upside all offseason! If he can leave my jaw resting on my chest, I don’t know what else to say. Dude is pitching absurdly well right now. Just enjoy it, and dream on his role on a soon-to-be competitive Cubs team, as soon as next year.
Today, he threw seven innings, walking one, allowing five hits, and the only run he gave up came on a Giancarlo Stanton homer (tips cap). In those seven innings, he struck out 11. It could have been even more if the strike zone was appropriately called early. His location was impeccable, his slider was sharp, and his overall performance was spot-on.
Nate Schierholtz hit a three-run bomb today, so good on him for that.
And, meanwhile, Arrieta isn’t the only guy who’s blazing hot …