When the Cubs are scheduled to play, their fans can expect a quality start -- six or more innings pitched, three or fewer earned runs -- which has happened in nine of the 10 games they've played this year. When Jake Arrieta doesn't provide such an effort, it qualifies as a major upset. The 2015 National League Cy Young Award winner, who's 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA this season, will take the hill in his '16 home debut on Saturday afternoon against right-hander Christian Bergman and the Rockies.
Arrieta has won 13 straight regular-season decisions dating to last Aug. 4. Unless the Rockies' strong offense does what no one else has done in a while, it could be another day in which the Cubs' bullpen can join the rest of the spectators at Wrigley Field.
"A good bullpen is normally the residue of a really good starting rotation," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "We don't have to overuse these guys."
Three things to know about this game
• Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez's sixth-inning leadoff single on Friday gave him a 20-game hit streak, dating back to last season.
• The Cubs are in the fifth game of a stretch during which they play 22 of 32 at Wrigley through May 15.
• Bergman (0-1, 12.00 ERA), making a spot start, gave up four runs and four hits in one inning against the D-backs in his first relief outing, but threw two scoreless innings against the Padres in his second game.
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