Chicago Cubs Lineup: Jake Looking to Win 17th Straight Decision

Jake Arrieta is headlining the Chicago Cubs lineup tonight as the Cubs take on the Pittsburgh Pirates at 6:05 CDT at PNC Park. Jake is seeking to become one of only seven pitchers in the liveball era to win 17 straight decisions, he would be the eighth to do it.

There were many who openly wondered if Jake would be able to repeat his dominant 2015 second half performance and so far, Jake has been as good if not better.

Only 7 pitchers have won 17 straight decisions in liveball era. @JArrieta34 could make it 8 tonight vs. Pirates. pic.twitter.com/TALRjCHNMt

— MLB Stat of the Day (@MLBStatoftheDay) May 3, 2016

As reported earlier today, Matt Szczur is apparently headed to the DL and Ryan Kalish has been recalled from AAA Iowa. In addition, Jason Heyward continues to sit due to soreness in his right wrist. Both of these injuries impact the lineup for the Cubs tonight at Pittsburgh. The Cubs will insert Javier Baez into the lineup at third base, Kris Bryant will play right field – a change from his normal positioning in left field – and Jorge Soler will play left field.

Tim Federowicz will be behind the plate tonight to catch for Jake, giving David Ross a rest.

Here’s tonight’s starting lineup for the Cubs:

Jake Arrieta (R)
@ Pirates – Jonathon Niese (L)
1. Dexter Fowler (S) CF
2. Jorge Soler (R) LF
3. Kris Bryant (R) RF
4. Anthony Rizzo (L) 1B
5. Ben Zobrist (S) 2B
6. Javier Baez (R) 3B
7. Addison Russell (R) SS
8. Tim Federowicz (R) C
9. Jake Arrieta (R) P