Obligatory joke about the Cubs topping the Indians 4-3. Cubs didn’t come back from down 3-1 this time, though.
The Cubs got their runs on a monster homer by David Bote in the opening inning, and then a three-run shot later from Jake Marisnick:
Express shipping courtesy of @DavidBote13. pic.twitter.com/iSKpqq9e0s
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 18, 2021
.@JSMarisnick gives us the lead! pic.twitter.com/nWwb3YpuOe
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 18, 2021
Great day out there for Jake Arrieta, who got the results, but also just looked really good. The curveball, in particular, was really sharp and got some ugly swings.
Jake Arrieta ends the inning with a swinging strikeout on a beautiful breaking ball pic.twitter.com/r4PK0NRjOe
— Cubs Insider (@realcubsinsider) March 18, 2021
Jake Arrieta, Filthy Curveball…and Sword. ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/pc576zsh11
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 18, 2021
Arrieta is feeling really good:
Arrieta got up to 60 pitches in the game today and said he felt great physically, a lot better than last time out.
After he came out of the game, he went and threw 12 more pitches in the bullpen to continue to build up.
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) March 18, 2021
Jake Arrieta tossed four innings vs. CLE, striking out five without a walk. He says the work he’s put in with his delivery has allowed his curveball to be more effective, which it was today. Full quote below. #Cubs pic.twitter.com/dg2hw1KSIv
— Russell Dorsey (@Russ_Dorsey1) March 18, 2021
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Dillon Maples was pounding the strike zone, and was ONE pitch away from an Immaculate Inning (9 pitches, 9 strikes, inning over), but he didn’t get a check swing call, and then he hit a guy, and then he gave up a run-scoring double. And then, to really cap off the full Dillon Maples Experience, he struck out the last batter on a pitch that hit him:
https://twitter.com/PitchingNinja/status/1372664854549499916
The Indians must’ve been flailing today – and also the zone was maybe a touch generous – because not only did Arrieta and Maples get a bunch of Ks, Keegan Thompson struck out three in his inning, Brandon Workman struck out two, Jason Adam struck out two, and Trevor Megill struck out one. A total of 16 strikeouts for Cubs pitchers against just one walk.
Cubs pitchers recorded 16 strikeouts in today’s win! pic.twitter.com/H3ygWEIChK
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 19, 2021