Chicago Cubs: Team drops opener to Dodgers, looks to John Lackey

Tying a season-low with just two team hits, the Chicago Cubs did little to back Jake Arrieta in Friday night’s 4-0 shutout loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Surrendering long-balls has become something of an issue for Chicago Cubs hurler Jake Arrieta. Not even a full two months into the season (10 starts) he tied his total for 2015, in which he made a league-leading 33 starts.

Chase Utley and Adrian Gonzalez both took the right-hander deep in Friday’s series-opening loss. To put things in perspective, the duo now has a grand total of three homers on the season.

But, simply put, you can’t win when you don’t score. As a team, the Cubs tallied just two base hits against Alex Wood and the LA bullpen. With St. Louis and Milwaukee losses, though, Chicago maintains first-place in the NL Central.

More from Cubbies Crib

• Cubs should keep close eye on non-tender candidate Cody Bellinger
• Cubs starting pitching has been thriving on the North Side
• Make no mistake: the Cubs are very much about power hitters
• Cubs are giving pitcher Javier Assad a deserved shot
• Cubs: It’s time to start thinking about potential September call-ups

Prior to first pitch Friday, the rumors swirled between Jeff Samardzija and the Cubs. The two former partners hooked horns on Thursday, and since, people have linked them. With Chicago  seeking starting pitching and the evident history, more than a handful of writers have speculated about a potential reunion. We, on the other hand, have very different thoughts on the matter.

Here’s more from the league:

‘Cubs fall to Dodgers as long-balls chase Arrieta’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Cubbies Crib talks series with Dodgers Way podcast‘ – Dodgers Way

‘Looking back at Shark, Cubs – and moving past it’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Holt shut down again by Red Sox’ – Call to the Pen

‘Rizzo playing better than his average indicates’ – Cubbies Crib