Game One Hundred Thirty-Four: Cubs (76-57) vs. Diamondbacks (65-70)
- Game Time – 1:20pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet – Radio: WBBM 780, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 184, 844
- Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Jake Arrieta (17-6, 2.11/0.94/2.51) vs. Robbie Ray (3-10, 3.72/1.32/3.39)
Weather permitting … The Cubs look to make it two in a row over the Diamondbacks today behind Jake Arrieta.
Jake Arrieta takes the ball for the first time since last Sunday’s no-hitter at Dodger Stadium. Arrieta had a big week in the wake of his no-no. Arrieta faces a very good lineup today and will have to deal with Paul Goldschmidt and the high-flying Diamondbacks. All eyes will be on Arrieta to see if he has a no-hitter hangover or if he will continue the incredible run he’s put together since the All-Star break.
Joe Maddon is running out a right-handed lineup with the lefty Robbie Ray on the bump. Kris Bryant is in left field, Austin Jackson in right and David Ross is behind the plate. The Cubs starting infield: Anthony Rizzo, Starlin Castro (2B), Addison Russell (SS) and Javier Baez (3B).
Today all starts with Jake Arrieta …
There is not much that can be said about Jake Arrieta’s last start that hasn’t already been rehashed for six days. Jake Arrieta dominated the Dodgers with the 14th no-hitter in franchise history in what was one of the best pitched games ever by a Cubs’ hurler.
Jake Arrieta is the reigning NL Player of the Week and NL Pitcher of the Month. Arrieta was 6-0 in six August starts with a 0.43 ERA and 0.69 WHIP. And Arrieta has been the best pitcher in the Senior Circuit not named Clayton Kershaw since the break. Arrieta is 7-1 in his last nine starts with a 1.03 ERA and 0.85 WHIP.
Jake Arrieta faces the Diamondbacks for the second time on the season this afternoon. One of Arrieta’s ‘bad outings’ came in Arizona on May 23 in a game the Cubs eventually won 9-6 thanks to Anthony Rizzo. Arrieta allowed six runs, three earned, on seven hits with two walks and seven strikeouts in six innings.
For his career, Jake Arrieta is 0-1 in two starts versus the Diamondbacks with a 4.26 ERA and 1.26 WHIP.
Diamondbacks Career Numbers against Jake Arrieta
- Aaron Hill: 7-for-17 with two doubles and one home run
- Paul Goldschmidt: 0-for-4 with two walks
- David Peralta: 2-for-6 with two doubles
- Jarrod Saltalamacchia: 3-for-4 with two doubles
- Nick Ahmed: 1-for-3
- Ender Inciarte: 1-for-3 with one double
- A.J. Pollock: 1-for-3
- Yasmany Tomas: 1-for-3
- Rubby De La Rosa: 0-for-2
- Chris Owings: 0-for-1
The Cubs get their first look at lefty Robbie Ray today. Ray is coming off a good start against the Rockies in a game Arizona lost 5-4. Ray held the Rockies to one runs on five hits with three walks and eight strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings at Coors Field.
Robbie Ray has good stuff, but he has been inconsistent. After going 1-2 in five starts in July with a 3.56 ERA and 1.25 WHIP, Ray was 0-5 in August in six games with a 6.00 ERA and 1.77 WHIP. Since the break, Ray is 0-6 in nine starts with a 5.40 ERA and 1.65 WHIP.
The talented lefty has been very good outside of Phoenix. In 10 road starts, Ray is 3-5 with a 2.64 ERA and 1.17 WHIP.
A Cubs’ team that has not faced Robbie Ray could have a very difficult time this afternoon. The offense must make him work. Early success for Ray could be trouble for the Cubs.
Austin Jackson (1-for-5 with one walk), Chris Denorfia (3-for-3 with one triple) and Dexter Fowler (2-for-3) are the only three players on Joe Maddon’s active roster that have faced Robbie Ray in a big league ballgame.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …