Jake Arrieta is better than just pretty damn good.
Arrieta has thrown 24 consecutive quality starts in the regular season.
He's 20-1 in those games, with an 0.84 ERA, 0.50 WHIP and 173 strikeouts against
just 33 walks.
What changed since Baltimore traded the disappointing prospect to the Cubs for Scott Feldman?
First, Arrieta said last year that when he came to the Cubs, he asked the coaching staff if he could revert to his old pitching style. This meant that he would be throwing across his body. Throwing across your chest is a serious "no no" for pitching coaches because normally it puts additional strain on the shoulder and elbow. Pitchers are taught to throw the ball downhill and not across.
But Arrieta grew up throwing the ball in the unconventional manner. The Cubs relented to have Arrieta find his own comfort zone.
Second, Arrieta went on a mediation/yoga/stretching/work out madness routine. He developed a core strength and flexibility. This goes hand in hand with making his unusual mechanics work.
Third, Arrieta's release point is very hard for batters to pick up. He stands on the right side of the rubber. Since he is throwing across his body, his shoulder makes a fuller turn away from the batter. As he comes through, the batter sees the ball release behind them (to a right handed hitter) then whip across the plate at 96 mph to the lower, outside corner of the zone. That split second "is the ball going to hit me" moment for batters is enough for Arrieta to control the count.
Fourth, Arrieta has a zen presence on the mound. Nothing seems to phase him. If he does not get a strike call, he does not growl or yell at the home plate umpire; he takes the ball and throws a better pitch. Some pitchers lose their cool on the mound (especially when they are struggling). If you maintain a professional demeanor on the mound, the home plate umpire will respect the pitcher more and give him the border calls.
So Arrieta has developed into a pitching monster. He is strong, reliable, consistent as the sun rising in the morning, and mentally tough. The Cubs know they will not have a long losing streak because Arrieta is in the rotation. He is the perfect compliment to Jon Lester's mound grumpiness or John Lackey's pitching anger.
