Arrieta’s Cubs take aim at Brewers, 16-5 start
Off to their best start since 1907, the Cubs can’t wait to get to the ballpark every day. Having the most dominant pitcher going only serves to enhance such a feeling.
Jake Arrieta (4-0, 0.87 ERA) returns to the hill tonight in the middle contest of a three-game set vs. Milwaukee, with an 8:05 p.m. ET first pitch at Wrigley Field. Handicappers at online sports book BetDSI list the home team as a 1.5-run favorite. The over/under, meanwhile, rests at 6.5 runs.
Chicago’s ace recorded his second career no-hitter in last Thursday’s 16-0 blanking of Cincinnati. Arrieta is 20-1 with a 0.86 ERA while notching 24 straight regular-season quality starts. Oh, and he’s fanned 173 and surrendered just four dingers during that span.
Even though the Brewers face impossibly long odds this evening, they meant business in the series opener. Chicago (15-5) barely staved off the visitors, 4-3, with Addison Russell’s two-run triple in the seventh proving to be the difference. The shortstop’s one to watch against Taylor Jungmann (0-3, 8.47), too, given his current 5-for-13 roll.
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As for Milwaukee’s (8-12) primary offensive threats, Ryan Braun and Aaron Hill are a combined 11 for 27 with a homer each vs. Arrieta. Then again, consider the fashion in which the righty destroyed Craig Counsell’s squad last Sept. 22. Arrieta put the finishing touches on a Cy Young campaign by striking out 11 in a three-hit victory at the Friendly Confines. There’s no reason to think he can’t perform the same type of feat in several hours.
WEDNESDAY MLB FREE PICK: CUBS -1.5
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