Another Arrieta start highlights Cubs-Brewers
Jake Arrieta is so money right now, only the elements stand a chance of stopping him.
After last night’s Cubs-Brewers contest was postponed by rain, the reigning National League Cy Young winner guns for his 25th straight regular-season quality start today. The two Central Division rivals meet in a 2:20 p.m. ET matinee, with oddsmakers at online sports book BetDSI preferring Chicago as a 1.5-run favorite. The over/run total sits at 6.5.
If Arrieta prevails this afternoon, he’ll equal the franchise mark for consecutive victories from a starter set by Rick Sutcliffe in 1984-85. It looks like a safe bet considering the veteran righty’s dominance of Milwaukee in 2015. Arrieta didn’t permit a run in his last 18 frames while going 3-0 with a 0.86 ERA in three post-All-Star break assignments vs. Craig Counsell’s club.
Joe Maddon’s crew posted a 14-5 record vs. Milwaukee a year ago, and the series opener brought more of the same. Addison Russell delivered a go-ahead two-run triple in the seventh of that 4-3 triumph. The shortstop also happens to relish facing today’s Brew Crew hurler, Taylor Jungmann, against whom he hits .750.
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Chicago seems destined to improve to a senior circuit-best 16-5, but can Ryan Braun at least give Arrieta something about which to worry? The left fielder has batted .358 at Wrigley Field with nine homers and 49 RBIs in 261 plate appearances. Of course, no one rules the Friendly Confines like the Cubs’ current ace. That magnificent streak of 48 2/3 scoreless innings at home will only grow in a few short hours.
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