Chicago Cubs send Jake Arrieta to mound looking for series win

The Chicago Cubs will send their ace Jake Arrieta to the mound against the Arizona Diamondbacks Shelby Miller in the finale of the four-game series.

The Chicago Cubs (4-1) will look to close out the four-game set with the Arizona Diamondbacks (2-4) with a win which would be an impressive start on the road for a Cubs team with hopes for a World Series title. Jake Arrieta (1-0, 0.00) makes his second start as he looks to continue his scoreless innings streak which stands at 29. Shelby Miller (0-0, 9.00) takes the hill for the D-backs as he hopes to have more luck in his second start.

Miller and Zack Greinke were both roughed up in their debut’s for the Diamondbacks by the Colorado Rockies, but Miller was able to escape with a no-decision as the D-backs came back to win 11-6. All six of the runs Miller allowed came via the long ball, something he’ll need to be careful with against a potent Cubs offense.

Arrieta is showing no signs of slowing down after his spectacular second half last season, but expecting the same results is simply unheard of. He’s not going to replicate a 12-1 record with a 0.75 ERA, but it doesn’t look like last year was a fluke either. One player he’ll need to be careful with is David Peralta who is off to a strong start for the D-backs. He’s also driven in four runs in nine at-bats against Arrieta.

With Dexter Fowler getting the day off for rest, hot-hitting Ben Zobrist will move up to the leadoff spot in his absence. Defensively, Jason Heyward will slide over to patrol center while Kris Bryant gets the start in right with Jorge Soler opposite him in left field. Tommy La Stella will get the start at third base.

Several Cubs players have had a fair amount of at-bats against Miller, with anthony Rizzo having the most success with 10 RBIs in 19 at-bats

Here are the lineups for today’s series finale:

First pitch is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. CT at Chase Field. The television coverage will be on WGN this afternoon while 670 The Score will have the radio broadcast. Be sure to come back following the game for our postgame coverage.