Chicago Cubs: Arrieta takes the mound in rubber game against Houston

The Chicago Cubs look to Jake Arrieta to help snatch a series win against the Houston Astros on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball.

The Houston Astros (75-67) really flipped the script against the Chicago Cubs (90-51) on Saturday, giving the Cubs a taste of their own medicine. Their bullpen held Chicago hit-less for the last four innings of the game, and only allowed a season-low two hits overall to the Cubs.

Chris Devenski, Will Harris, Luke Gregerson, and Ken Giles continue to establish themselves as a formidable four-headed monster in the Astros ‘pen. A lot has been made of Houston facing a 13-game stretch against.  With four games left, the effort given by the Astros shows how invested they are in winning.

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Rookie infielder Alex Bregman has quickly become one of Houston’s favorite sons in the clubhouse. He’s earned praise from stars like Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa. Bregman hit the go-ahead home run in Saturday’s game to give Houston a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

“I don’t care if we’re playing a last-place team right now or a first-place team. There’s a sense of urgency that our guys feel that we know we need to win.” Astros coach A.J. Hinch said after last night’s game.

Mike Fiers (10-6, 4.29 ERA) takes the mound Sunday for Houston, hoping to continue their interleague success. The Astros are 11-8 this year against NL teams.

Fiers is 1-0 with a 0.77 ERA in interleague play this year, allowing just one run on eight hits in two starts. He’s 6-3 at home as well, recording a 1.198 WHIP in 81 innings.

In his career, Fiers has faced the Cubs five times, winning three of those games, recording a 1.71 ERA in 26.1 innings.

To counter, Chicago sends Jake Arrieta (16-6, 2.84 ERA) to the mound.  Arrieta has never faced the Astros in his career and looks to grab Chicago a win in the rubber game of the series.

Next: Cubs struggle with runners in scoring position

Away from Wrigley Field this year, Arrieta is 10-2 with a 2.99 ERA in 13 starts. He’s not having the record-breaking second half like he did in 2015. But Arrieta is still holding opponents to a .159/.290/.539 slash line.

Unlike years past, pitching seems to be the least of Chicago’s worries as they prepare for the final three-week stretch into the playoffs. Four of the Cubs five starting pitchers are ranked in the top-20 in the league: Arrieta, Jon Lester, John Lackey, and Kyle Hendricks.

The lineups for tonight’s game are as follows:

Tonight’s game will be carried on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball. Be sure to check out our interview with tonight’s commentator Dan Shulman. First pitch will be at 7:05 p.m. CT. And check back later for the recap of tonight’s action.