SAN FRANCISCO — A few hours before the first pitch Friday night, manager Joe Maddon plopped down in the visitor's dugout at AT&T Park, adjusted his sunglasses and provided a glimpse of what he sees through those rose-colored Ray-Bans.
How optimistic is this guy? Chicago Cubs starter Jake Arrieta came into their 8-1 win over the Giants with a 1.29 ERA and riding a hot streak that put him in the company of pitchers like Carl Hubbell and Whitey Ford. Maddon insisted that Arrieta's best days are days are still ahead."I'm telling you, there's another level we haven't seen from him this year,'' the manager said, clearly delighting in the absurdity.