Watch CBS News

Levine: Cubs' Jake Arrieta Back To His Dominant Self

By Bruce Levine--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Who leads the National League in wins and is the hardest pitcher to hit in baseball?

If your answer was anyone except Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta, you would be wrong.

Looking like he was in top form, Arrieta dominated the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday, tossing seven scoreless inning as the Cubs won 5-0 at Wrigley Field. Arrieta improved to 18-7, matching teammate Jon Lester and Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer for the most wins in the NL.

Arrieta struck out 10 Cardinals, including the side in the first inning to establish his presence.

"The big thing for me is controlling my effort," Arrieta said. "When I am able to do that, my stuff speaks for itself. Sometimes the competitiveness and stubborn behavior gets in the way. Once I push that aside, the stuff works pretty well."

Arrieta leads baseball with 40 wins over the last two seasons. He explained that he has now backed off of the fastball and used deception with a change of speed on his pitches, most notably to his satisfaction Friday.

"A lot of time more effort creates inconsistency," Arrieta said. "Sometimes I do more than I have to. I had several outs today where I took my foot off of the gas. I threw at 60 or 70 percent. I got nice easy balls grounded to second base or shortstop. That reinforces to me that I don't have to be at 100 percent (velocity). I can do better at 70, 80 percent and execute pitches at the bottom of the zone. I can make those guys put the ball in play."

The Cubs have given Arrieta with a lot of run support in his 30 starts this season, at more than six per game. After winning the Cy Young last season and starting this year 9-0, Arrieta encountered some command struggles, as he's walked 26 more batters hits season than last and been burned on occasion because of it. which felt like a letdown at times.

While his performance at times felt like a letdown following the historic bar he set in 2015, Arrieta has still been really tough. Arrieta has allowed opponents to his only .185, best in the big leagues.

"That is the type of knowledge I have had though out the season and even last year," Arrieta said. "I don't give up a ton of hits. It's really been the walks combined with a couple of hits here and there that has led to extended innings. That has led to more runs than I wanted to give up. That is the game. You have to remain humble and not take anything for granted. I try to remain positive and put the emphasis on command and my effort. Everything else takes care of itself."

The Cubs haven't announced their playoff rotation, but he smart money is on Arrieta pitching Game 3 of the NLDS on the road. Arrieta is 11-2 on the road in 2016.

On Friday afternoon, the Cubs won their 98th game of the season, their most since 1945. That dropped their magic number to one to clinch home-field advantage in the NL playoffs. That could become official as soon as late Friday if the Nationals were to lose to the Pirates.

The Cubs also tied the franchise record with 56 home victories, which the 1933 and 1935 Cubs did as well.

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.