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Jake Arrieta on the bump in first game of doubleheader vs Philadelphia

By David Miniel |

After last night’s contest was postponed due to severe weather in the area, the Chicago Cubs will begin a four-game weekend series against Ryan Howard and the Philadelphia Phillies.

The last time these two met, Cole Hamels pitched a no-hitter at Wrigley Field on Saturday, July 15 in one of his final outings with the Phillies (54-86) who ended up sweeping the weekend series. They hammered Chicago (80-58) the following day, defeating them by the score of 11-5.

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However, ace right-hander Jake Arrieta (18-6, 2.03 ERA) helped erase that dreadful afternoon by pitching a no-no of his own to cap off a perfect month of August while visiting the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Things have continued to go Arrieta’s way as he’s currently 7-0 with a 0.36 ERA having allowed just two earned runs on 23 hits and a 50/10 K/BB ratio across 50 1/3 innings of work in seven previous starts for the Cubs.

Joe Maddon‘s group of young sluggers made a loud statement in St. Louis, tagging Lance Lynn, Michael Wacha, and Carlos Martinez for a combined 15 earned runs in two wins on the road. Hopefully, they’re able to keep things going with a little help from their bullpen who struggled over the course of two days.

Taking the mound opposite Arrieta will be the 25-year-old southpaw, Adam Morgan. Morgan (5-5, 4.42 ERA) started off September with a loss with the Boston Red Sox in town.

Boston tagged him for six earned runs on eight hits, including a big fly while issuing two walks and recording six strikeouts in 6 1/3 frames. He’ll miss out on having to face lefty Kyle Schwarber who is not in today’s lineup but could make a pinch-hit appearance late in the game.

That is if Arrieta leaves the game.

First pitch is slated for 4:05 p.m. central time and will air live on CSN, WBBM 780.

Here’s a look at tonight’s starting lineup’s:

Next: Castro firing on all cylinders since demotion

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