Jake Arrieta‘s first start for the Cubs in four years ended with a 5-1 win against the Pirates on Saturday as he went six innings, giving up only one run on six hits with five strikeouts and one walk. He attempted to duplicate that success Thursday against Pittsburgh and starter Tyler Anderson for the second time. After the victory, Arrieta is 70-31 with a 2.73 ERA during his two stints with the Cubs and 14-6 with a 2.87 ERA in 24 career starts versus the Pirates.
He was nowhere near as sharp as he was in his last outing as a lack of command haunted him for most of the game, highlighted by a mere 11 first-pitch strikes.