Arrieta, Burnett Face Off in Pittsburgh | IXGAMES
The Chicago Cubs have surprised us all this season. They’ve managed to secure wild card positions alongside their NL Central rivals, the Pittsburgh Pirates. The two teams meet for the third match of a four-game set on Wednesday. The Cubs have won the last nine games pitched by Jake Arrieta, so it’s no surprise that he’s being sent to the mound. He’s allowed five earned runs over that time and also pitched the sixth no-hitter of the season on August 30. Arrieta has also been incredible on the road in 2015, going 12-1 in 16 starts with a 1.72 ERA. In two starts in Pittsburgh, the Cy Young contender has won both outings while posting a 0.64 ERA. The Pirates counter with AJ Burnett, who returned from the disabled list last Thursday. Burnett allowed three runs in five innings in a no-decision as the Pirates lost 6-4 in Milwaukee. Despite the fact that the Pirates have lost the last three games pitched by Burnett, he has fared well against the Cubs this season. Burnett has gone 1-0 in two starts (both against Arrieta, coincidentally) with a 0.69 ERA. At home, Burnett is 2-3 in 11 starts, but he has a very solid 2.33 ERA.