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Let’s Play Two: Jake Arrieta starts Game 1 of doubleheader

By David Miniel

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After another disappointing loss at the hands of the St. Louis Cardinals in yesterday’s series opener, the Chicago Cubs find themselves in a doubleheader, making up for a game during their first series back in April.

Taking the mound tonight for the third-place Cubs (44-37) will be ace hurler, Jake Arrieta. Arrieta (8-5, 2.80 ERA) has been absolutely lights out in his previous three starts, allowing a combined two earned runs on 12 hits while posting a 21/2 K/BB ratio across 24 innings of work.

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His complete game against the New York Mets was his best performance to begin the year. The 29-year-old right-hander, like Jon Lester last night, flirted with history twice last season, having no-hitters that went were broken up late.

Hopefully, he’s able to duplicate his first start of the season which was at Wrigley Field with the Cardinals (54-28) in town. Maddon was expecting him to start the second game of the opening series, but the game was postponed due to rain and had to be rescheduled.

Starting opposite Arrieta will be 27-year-old Tyler Lyons. Lyons (2-0, 5.09 ERA) made his 2015 debut against the Cubs back on Cinco De Mayo and exited after just 4 1/3 frames.

Chicago tagged him for three earned runs on six hits and managed to draw only two walks while striking out seven times. St. Louis went on to defeating the Cubs that night by the final score of 7-4 to extend their winning-streak to eight games and becoming the first Major League team to reach 20 wins.

They are also the firsts to hit 50 and continue to find ways to win ballgames despite a number of injuries they’ve had to deal with along the way.

First pitch for Game 1 is slated for 12:20 p.m. central time and will air live on WGN, MLBN, WBBM 780.

Next: Bryant, Rizzo Selected As N.L. Reserves

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