Looking back at one of Jake Arrieta's most dominant outings 10 years later

We are 10 years removed from the Chicago Cubs' 2015 playoff run, when starting pitcher Jake Arrieta delivered one of the most dominant pitching performances in team history.

The Cubs closed the regular season with a stellar 97-65 record, but had somehow finished third in the National League Central. This set up a Wild Card matchup with the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park, where Arrieta was given the ball in a winner-take-all matchup.

The result was nothing short of miraculous. Against a potent Pirates lineup, Arrieta continued his historic stretch of dominance by hurling a complete game shutout with 11 strikeouts, no walks, and just five hits allowed.

Arrieta's performance was the crown jewel of his Cy Young Award-winning season, and it marked a tone shift for the Cubs organization. The Cubs had not even had a postseason win since the 2003 season, as they were swept out of the playoffs in both 2007 and 2008. But Arrieta's dominance was unparalleled at the time, and it's hard to imagine having another pitcher like him anytime soon.

Peak Jake Arrieta was one of a kind atop the Cubs' rotation

It wasn't just that Arrieta was good. Everyone knew that he was going to step up, including himself.

This is the kind of swagger and confidence that are difficult to back up on the field, but Arrieta obviously put his money where his mouth was. With the Cubs' recent struggles in the National League Division Series, it would be a game-changer to have a pitcher of Arrieta's pedigree on the roster. Unfortunately, it looks like the Cubs are destined for an early exit as they continue to search for a consistently competitive formula.

But we will always have Arrieta's run with Chicago to look back on, which included two no-hitters, four playoff wins where the team faced elimination, and a well-earned World Series Championship.