Chicago Cubs: Jake Arrieta looks to continue August domination

The Chicago Cubs are 2-2 on the homestand and look to get back to winning ways Friday as Jake Arrieta goes up against Miguel Montero’s Toronto Blue Jays.

Coming off a split with the Reds Thursday, the Chicago Cubs will battle the AL East’s Toronto Blue Jays Friday afternoon, their first visit to Wrigley Field in 12 years.

August domination

With Thursday’s news of Jon Lester possibly missing time with a lat injury, the title and role of Cubs’ ace shifts to Jake Arrieta (12-8, 3.73 ERA) who will get the ball for Chicago on Friday.

The 31-year-old has thrown the ball well of-late, as his fastball command has improved. Velocity up, command back, and his pitches are working well. It’s also nothing new for Jake to pitch well in August. He’s 2-1 for the month with a 1.86 ERA and is 12-1 with a 2.75 ERA in August since 2015.

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In his most recent outing against the Diamondbacks, Arrieta went six innings, allowing just one earned run in a 7-2 win. In his career against the Blue Jays, Arrieta has made seven starts, all with the Orioles, and is 3-2, 5.45 ERA.

J.A. Happ (6-8, 3.63 ERA) goes for the Blue Jays.

Happ, an Illinois Native, is riding a three-game win streak, and most recently earned a win against the Pirates. In that outing, he threw six innings and allowed one earned run. He’s allowed exactly one earned run in each of his three last starts.

Familiar face

Of course, this series also brings with it the return of former Cubs catcher Miguel Montero. Designated for assignment in June, the Jays traded for the veteran backstop in July.

Since the acquisition, he has appeared in 14 games and has a .083 BA including one home run and three RBI. Montero recently missed time with a strained groin.

Goin’ sluggin

While the Blue Jays aren’t statistically one of the better offenses in baseball as they have been in recent memory, they do have the third-most home runs in the AL in the second half (48). First baseman Justin Smoak, an All-Star, is fourth in the league with 33 home runs.

As for the Cubs, they showed what they can do, wind-aided or not. Six home runs and 10 runs still not enough in Thursday’s loss to Cincinnati, here is how the Cubs and Blue Jays will square off Friday.

Next: Chicago Cubs P Jon Lester leaves start early with injury

What’s next

Saturday features the second game of the series. Jose Quintana (7-10, 4.33 ERA) will pitch for Chicago against Nick Tepesch (1-2, 5.25 ERA) for Toronto.

First pitch from Wrigley Field is 1:20 pm C.T.