Jake Arrieta joined a highly elite group of pitchers last night when he threw the first no-hitter of his career. Arrieta struck out 12 batters, helping the Cubs achieve their 2-0 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Arrieta now joins only 23 other pitchers in Major League Baseball history who have managed to achieve this incredible accomplishment, to include Cy Young (1904), Sandy Koufax (1965), and Randy- Johnson (2004). MLB
“Right now, he’s pitching on another level.” Says Cubs manager Joe Maddon, “And he deserves it.” ( MLB) Arrieta’s stats over the last week show a phenomenal progression up to last night’s no-hitter. With an amazing 20 strikeouts in only 15 innings, and only one allowed run ESPN, it is no surprise Arriets was able to perform so well.
The Cubs are currently in 3rd place in the National League’s Central Division, sitting five games behind the 2nd place Pittsburgh Pirates, and ten games behind the first place St. Louis Cardinals. Baseball Reference With about 30 games left on their schedule, and the intensity coming from their bullpen, the post-season is on the mind of the franchise and, hopefully, in their near future.