Jake Arrieta walked the first two batters he faced tonight, and it was fair to wonder if he’s simply going through a stretch where he’s having trouble commanding all of his pitches as well as he’d like.
… but then he dominated the Pirates for the next seven innings, getting weak grounder after weak grounder, and not issuing another walk. He’s just Jake.[adinserter block=”1″]
And he added an RBI single, too, with a bonus helmet rub.
He had plenty of help behind him on defense (as did Trevor Cahill, who finished out the game), especially over at third base where Javy Baez looked so damn good. He made sparkling play after sparkling play, and they just look so easy when he does it. We’ll have more on that tomorrow.
Offensively, the Cubs simply did what they do: get a ton of guys on base, get a ton of opportunities to score, cash in on a fair portion of those opportunities, profit. Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo are especially hot lately, which can’t make opposing pitchers feel all that good. Those two alone can carry this offense when they’re really clicking. (And, so far, they don’t have to carry this offense alone.)[adinserter block=”2″]
But, it’s hard not to give Jake Arrieta special mention on Jake Arrieta Day when he pitches like Jake Arrieta.