The Cubs won’t be getting the 2015-16 version of Jake Arrieta this year. They know that, and I hope you know that. He’s five years older and the inexorable march of time takes talent away from the best of professional athletes.
But it certainly appears the Cubs could be getting something akin to the 2017 version of Jake, and that was a pretty darn good pitcher who had 2.8 bWAR that season and threw very well in the postseason against the Nationals and Dodgers.
Jake threw four efficient innings against the Indians Thursday afternoon, allowing one run, issuing no walks and striking out five, and the Cubs came away with a 4-3 win.