The Cubs improved to a Major League best 19-6 on Tuesday behind another outstanding start from Jake Arrieta. The Cubs have won 13 games by five or more runs this season and outscored their opponents 153-64, the plus-89 run differential is the third best in history of the game through 25 games, and the largest run differential through 25 games since the 1905 New York Giants according to ESPN.
The Cubs are tied for first in runs scored (153), second in OBP (.362), lead the majors in walks (134) and are 24th out of 30 teams in strikeouts (195), tied with White Sox.
Jake Arrieta improved to 6-0 on the season with a 0.84 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 2.78 FIP in six starts. Arrieta shut out the Pirates for seven innings. In 43 innings this year, Arrieta has allowed four runs on 20 hits with 12 walks and 37 strikeouts. Arrieta has almost as many RBI (3) on the season as runs he has allowed on the mound (4).
With Tuesday’s win, Arrieta became the first Cubs pitcher to win each of his first six starts of the season since Mordecai ‘Three Finger’ Brown in 1908. Brown won his first 11 starts of the 1908 season.
According to ESPN Stats and Info, Arrieta has 15 scoreless starts over the past two season, tops in baseball. Clayton Kershaw (11) and Zack Greinke (11) have four less scoreless starts than Arrieta.
Arrieta is 22-1 with a 0.85 ERA in 26 starts since June, and he has not lost a game on the road in almost a full calendar year (May 7, St. Louis). Christopher Kamka pointed out that Anthony Rizzo has hit 23 home runs and driven in 76 runs since the last time Arrieta lost a regular season game (July 25).
The Cubs have won each of his last 19 starts. And Arrieta broke Rick Sutcliffe’s record set in 1984-85 of 17 straight wins.
Jake Arrieta has continued his historic run from last year with just a ridiculous start to the season.
Tuesday’s Post-Game Reports
The Cubs secured a series win in Pittsburgh with Tuesday night’s 7-1 victory over the Pirates. Jake Arrieta dominated and six different Cubs drove in runs. The Cubs turn to Jon Lester on Wednesday morning (11:35am CDT) looking for the three-game sweep at PNC Park.
Here are the post-game reports and recap from Tuesday night …
- CCO Recap – Jake Dominates, Cubs Rake in Win
- ESPN Chicago – Jake Arrieta shuts down the Pirates, again
- ESPN Chicago – Other than a ‘slow’ start, it’s the same old, same old for Jake Arrieta
- The Sun-Times – Arrieta douses potential emotional fireworks before Pirates can start them
- Comcast SportsNet – No Drama: Cubs ace Jake Arrieta still owns the Pirates
- The Tribune – Cubs’ Jake Arrieta silences PNC crowd with arm, bat
- The Tribune – Jake Arrieta makes quick adjustment, dominates Pirates to improve to 6-0
Cubs Outfield and Injury Updates
The Cubs outfield had a different look Tuesday. Dexter Fowler was in center as he has been on most days this season but Kris Bryant was in right field with Jorge Soler in left.
Joe Maddon started Bryant in right field instead of Soler because he felt Bryant could handle the PNC Park’s spacious right field better than Soler. And Maddon hit Soler second between Fowler and Bryant in an attempt to “jump start” him offensively according to Comcast SportsNet.
Jason Heyward is day-to-day and could be back in the lineup Wednesday. Maddon would not commit Tuesday on whether Heyward would be in his lineup or not for the series finale.
Matt Szczur was placed on the 15-day DL prior to the game with a mild right hamstring strain and is not expected to be on the disabled list longer than the necessary 15 days. Szczur was disappointed he landed on the DL. Szczur said never had hamstring issues before Monday.
The Cubs called up Ryan Kalish from Triple-A Iowa. Kalish batted for Arrieta in the eighth inning and finished the game in left field. Kalish worked his way back to the majors after not playing last season due to injuries.
Updated 8:35am CDT – Jason Heyward is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday’s game. Cubs starting lineup: Dexter Fowler CF, Tommy La Stella 2B, Kris Bryant LF, Anthony Rizzo 1B, Ben Zobrist RF, Javier Baez 3B, Addison Russell SS, David Ross C, Jon Lester P
News, Notes and Rumors
• The Tribune reported Kris Bryant, Javier Baez filling various roles for Cubs.
• The Cubs Way could become bludgeoning your opponent with AL East-style lineup according to Comcast SportsNet.
• David Ross and Dusty Baker admit their mistakes from long ago according to the Tribune.
• The Tribune reported Ryan Kalish completes latest comeback with Cubs. And ESPN Chicago reported Matt Szczur goes on DL with hamstring strain.
• According to Carrie Muskat, Matt Murton strained an oblique warming up before Monday’s game. The Cubs have not provided an update on his status.
• The Cubs will be on hand to watch Tim Lincecum on Friday at Scottsdale Stadium. Just about every team to this point has shown some level of interest according to Jon Heyman except for the Yankees and Mets.
• The Reds bullpen set a Major League record Tuesday. The Reds relievers have allowed a run in 21 consecutive games.
• Howie Kendrick reached out to old friend Dr. Ken Ravizza to get through his slump according to Bill Plunkett.
This Day in Cubstory
2005 – For the fifth time in big league history, a pair of 300-game winners squared off and Greg Maddux got the best of Roger Clemens in a 3-2 victory over the Astros at Minute Maid Park.
1999 – After 6,136 at bats without a home run with the bases loaded, Mark Grace hit the first Grand Slam of his career in a 12-11 Cubs win over the Rockies at Wrigley Field.
1982 – Matt Tolbert, born
1976 – The Illinois Legislature declared it Rick Monday Day to honor his patriotic gesture on April 25 of saving an American Flag from being burned by two protestors at Dodger Stadium.
1976 – Ben Grieve, born
1974 – Miguel Cairo, born
1971 – Joe Borowski, born
1963 – Braves pitchers committed six balks, three by Bob Shaw in the third inning, and issued eight walks and threw a wild pitch in a Cubs 7-5 win at Milwaukee. Lou Brock stole two bases for the Cubs.
1960 – Lou Boudreau was summoned from the radio booth to succeed Charlie Grimm as Cubs manager. Grimm replaced Boudreau on the mike as the Cubs topped the Pirates 5-1 behind Dick Ellsworth at Wrigley Field.
1959 – Cubs traded Bob Smith to the Indians for Randy Jackson
1937 – Rip Collins, Joe Marty and John Bottarini homered in the eighth inning in a 14-7 win over the Phillies.
1929 – Pitcher Pat Malone collected three triples and two RBI, Hack Wilson and Kiki Cuyler each doubled twice and Rogers Hornsby homered in a 16-0 victory over the Phillies at Baker Bowl. Cubs won the second game of the twin bill 9-7.
1923 – Marty Callaghan stole home in the 10th inning to help beat the Cardinals 2-1 in St. Louis. Hack Miller tied the game in the eighth inning on a pinch-hit homer.
1915 – Ox Miller, born
1897 – Cap Anson Day at West Side Grounds as the long-time Cubs player-manager was given a silver dining service and numerous other testimonials. Anson went 1-for-3 in a 5-2 victory over St. Louis.
1892 – Ted Turner, born
1891 – Vic Saier, born
1872 – John Malarkey, born