Spring Training Game Eight: Cubs (1-6) vs. Indians (2-4-1)
- Game Time – 2:05pm CST
- Coverage – TV: None – Radio: Cubs.com
- Location – Sloan Park, Mesa
Jake Arrieta (0-0, -.–, -.–) vs. Corey Kluber (0-0, 0.00, 0.00)
All eyes will be on Jake Arrieta as he makes his spring debut this afternoon in Mesa in front of the home crowd at Sloan Park. The Cubs held Arrieta, Jon Lester and John Lackey back a week in the Cactus League schedule due to the heavy workload from last season.
Arrieta was incredibly sharp in his first live batting practice session of the spring. Miguel Montero said Arrieta was in mid-season form. Montero should be behind the plate today while Arrieta is on the hill for at least two innings.
The Cubs spring roster will face the second Cy Young award winner in two days. The Cubs put a run on the board against Clayton Kershaw in three innings Tuesday. It will be interesting to see how the lineup Joe Maddon runs out performs against Corey Kluber.
Today all starts with Jake Arrieta …
Jake Arrieta takes the hill in the Cactus League for the first time this year. Arrieta is coming off one of the best seasons in the history of the game. Arrieta was historic in the second half.
Arrieta earned the NL Cy Young award after posting a 22-6 record with a 1.77 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 2.35 FIP in 33 starts. Arrieta tossed four complete games, tops in the NL, three were of the shutout variety and one huge no-hitter against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. Arrieta completed a career high 229 innings in the regular season and set a career mark in strikeouts (236).
Arrieta finished sixth in voting for the National League MVP after beating Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke for the top pitching honor in the Senior Circuit.
Corey Kluber is pretty darn good in his own right and is a year removed from being named the AL Cy Young award winner. Kluber was 9-16 in 32 starts last season with a 3.49 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 2.97 FIP. Kluber completed four games and struck out 245 batters with 45 walks in 222 innings.
Kluber makes his second start of the spring this afternoon in Mesa. Kluber completed two scoreless innings against the Giants on March 5. Kluber struck out three and did not allow any baserunners.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …