Chicago Cubs

Jake Arrieta Says Cubs Expect to Remain in First for Remainder of Season

The Chicago Cubs are brimming with confidence after a 10-2 start to the second half of their season, and they’re even happier after they moved into sole possession of first place with a win over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.

They were helped in their quest to repeat as champions with another strong performance by pitcher Jake Arrieta, who gave up two runs and struck out five batters in six-plus innings of work. The hurler picked up his 10th win of the season in the game, and afterward he made a statement that will certainly sit well with Cubs fans.

“I remember last year we were in this clubhouse around the same time, and it’s no different,” he told media after the game. “We expect to remain in first place throughout the remainder of the way.”

The Cubs trailed the Milwaukee Brewers by five and a half games to start the second half of the season, but they’ve made up that gap in just 12 games.

Unlike last season, the Cubs got off to a slow start this year and have largely treaded water while the rest of the division has struggled. They seem to be finding their groove now, and Arrieta definitely feels like the team can keep it up.

“You expect to have really good competition from teams that are either equal with you or close behind,” he said. “We feel we have the group to separate ourselves at this point in time and remain in first place for the remainder of the way.” 

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