Chicago Cubs Notes: Jake Arrieta looks to stay hot against Arizona

Chicago Cubs’ right-hander Jake Arrieta has been dominant in the second half. He hopes to continue that trend on Wednesday night against the Diamondbacks.

For the third-straight season, the Chicago Cubs are rolling in the second half. Joe Maddon has turned the franchise into a second-half juggernaut since 2015 – and, based on the first two weeks since the All-Star Break, 2017 looks to be no different.

Chicago (57-48) looks to move to an even 10 games over .500. It seems like only yesterday the club was battling to keep its head above the breakeven mark. But a 14-3 mark since the break puts the Cubs 2 1/2 games up on Milwaukee in the National League Central – and 5 1/2 above St. Louis.

Arrieta, meanwhile, has been one of the Cubs’ best starters of-late. In the month of July, he pitched to a 3-1 record with an impressive 2.25 ERA in five outings. According to MLB.com, he owns a 13-game streak in which he has allowed six hits or less – and he’s working with two extra days of rest.

Seems like a recipe for success.

After taking a day off Sunday, Anthony Rizzo returned to the Cubs’ lineup in a big way Tuesday, hitting a pair of home runs. Javier Baez and Ian Happ also hit homers in the series-opening victory.

Starting lineups

Next: Heyward on the track back to being a force at the dish

What’s Next

Chicago and Arizona conclude their three-game set Thursday afternoon at Wrigley Field.

Jose Quintana (6-9, 4.16) starts for the Cubs. Zack Greinke (13-4, 2.84) starts opposite him for the Diamondbacks. First pitch is at 1:20 p.m. CT.