Chicago Cubs: Arrieta’s looks to sustain success against Bucs

With five games left in the regular season, Jake Arrieta (18-7, 2.85 ERA) will make his final start of 2016 against the Pittsburgh Pirates (77-80). The reigning NL Cy Young award winner is 9-2 with a 2.44 ERA against Pittsburgh in his career.

Arrieta’s ERA would be best on 26 other teams, but with the Cubs, he’s third behind Kyle Hendricks (1.99) and Jon Lester (2.28).

He’s coming off one of his strongest starts of the year, throwing seven scoreless with 10 strikeouts in a Cubs 5-0 victory last Friday.

Tonight’s start lines up Arrieta to pitch on the road in his first playoff appearance this year. Arrieta’s 11-2 record on the road certainly bodes well for Chicago’s Game 3 starter. Of the Cubs starters, only Lester has a comparable road record (9-2).

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For the first time since 1945, the Chicago Cubs (101-56) have the best record in baseball and has shown no signs of letting up in the final week of the year.

Like the rest of the club, Arrieta is confident in his ability to sustain his success from the past two season.

Pittsburgh, on the other hand, doesn’t need convincing of Chicago’s success this year.

“Their record speaks for itself,” Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer said. “It’s pretty evident they’re one of the top teams in baseball and they’ve got a chance to make a run at it.”

Atmosphere

The atmosphere at PNC Park won’t be quite as electric for Pirates fans. Their team will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2012.

Rookie righty Jameson Taillon (4-4, 3.49 ERA) will take the mound for the Bucs. The 24-year-old has a 3.00 ERA in 10 starts at home. And has allowed three runs or fewer in 14 of his 17 starts this year.

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If tonight goes well for Taillon, he could end the season as Pittsburgh best starter. Even though he began the year in the minors.

Taillon’s last start came against Washington at PNC Park, lasting five innings, and allowing three runs on six hits. Taillon’s seven strikeouts were tied for his second-highest total this season.

Chicago’s 101 wins are the highest total since the franchise won 104 in 1910. Of those 101 wins, 14 of them have come against the Pirates. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. central time.

The lineups for tonight’s game are as follows: