The Chicago Cubs are reeling after losing six of their last seven games, but they’ll hope to get things turned around on Monday as Jake Arrieta takes the hill at the Great American Ballpark.
Of course, Cubs fans will recognize that the game means just a bit more than just another day at the ballpark. That’s because in Arrieta’s last start against the Reds, the Cubs’ ace struck out six batters and threw his second-career no-hitter in a 16-0 demolition of Cincinnati.
Throwing 119 pitches, Arrieta did walk four batters, but it didn’t matter as he blanked the Reds and reaffirmed his status as one of the game’s best pitchers.
Now, with the two teams set to do battle again at the scene of one of Arrieta’s greatest performances, the Reds are eager to try to get revenge against the hurler.
“Anyone with any pride would like to face him again,” Reds manager Bryan Price told reporters on Monday. “We’re chomping at the bit to get another opportunity to beat him.”
Arrieta has made six career starts against the Reds, and needless to say, he’s been successful. Reds batters have hit a paltry .148 against him in those games, and Arrieta is sporting a solid 2.81 ERA against the team. His 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings is his third-best against any team in the league, and he has walked just 13 batters in 41 and two-thirds innings of work.