Tue, 26 Jul 2016 00:20:03 -0700

Chicago Cubs SP Jake Arrieta allowed four runs in six innings against the Chicago White Sox Monday, July 25, in a 5-4 loss. Arrieta has just one win in his last six outings.

Fantasy Tip: What has happened to Arrieta? That is the major question that many fans would love to know. You're almost afraid to take him out of the lineup for fear the Arrieta of the first half will re-emerge and leave you hanging. But it's clear something isn't right. It's likely just a midseason slump, so let Arrieta work through it and then stick him back in your lineup.

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| Source: The Associated Press

Tue, 19 Jul 2016 19:39:19 -0700

Chicago Cubs SP Jake Arrieta allowed one earned run, five hits and a walk with eight strikeouts over seven innings in a quality start and no-decision Tuesday, July 19, against the New York Mets. He threw 63 of his 85 pitches for strikes.

Fantasy Tip: Arrieta is winless in three July starts, but this was his first quality start and the All-Star break appears to have given him the shot in the arm he needed to get back on track. Regardless of the rough patch, he remains an obvious must-start fantasy option across all formats and DFS play.

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| Source: The Associated Press

Tue, 19 Jul 2016 10:03:32 -0700

Chicago Cubs SP Jake Arrieta's spin rate for his slider was 929 rotations per minute during his last start against the Pittsburgh Pirates Friday, July 8. When Arrieta averages at least 1,000 rotations per minute with his slider, he has a 1.80 ERA and four scoreless outings. In 11 starts when he does not, he has a 3.36 ERA.

Fantasy Tip: Arrieta is mired in his worst stretch since joining the Cubs with a 8.27 ERA over his past three starts, and opposing hitters have posted a .898 OPS against the reigning Cy Young winner. However, if Arrieta can rediscover the magic of his slider and better attack hitters earlier in the count, he projects to return to being a high-end ace for your fantasy club. He should be started in all seasonal leagues, and could stand as a contrarian option in daily contests because of his recent struggles.

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| Source: ESPN Stats and Information - Ken Woolums

Mon, 18 Jul 2016 21:36:08 -0700

Chicago Cubs SP Jake Arrieta is the scheduled starter for Tuesday, July 19, against the New York Mets. He is looking to get back on track after allowing four or more earned runs in three straight starts for the first time since 2012.

Fantasy Tip: Arrieta was bounced around for four runs, eight hits and two walks in 5 1/3 innings in a loss July 2 at Citi Field against the Mets. The All-Star break did teammate Jon Lester, who was also struggling, some good. Perhaps the long break between starts will get Arrieta on track, too.

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| Source: The Associated Press

Mon, 18 Jul 2016 15:21:05 -0700

Chicago Cubs SP Jake Arrieta has a 4.81 ERA in his last seven starts despite striking out 46 in 39 1/3 innings. Opponent's batting average is up to .256 from .161 on the year against Arrieta.

Fantasy Tip: Arrieta's overall numbers (2.68 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 9.5 K/9) are still fantastic despite his struggles heading into the second half of the season. Unless things continue to worsen into August, no fantasy owners should have thoughts of benching him for the foreseeable future.

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| Source: Chicago Tribune - Phil Rogers

Mon, 11 Jul 2016 12:48:24 -0700

Chicago Cubs SP Jake Arrieta is not disappointed about not starting the All-Star game, noting he has not pitched very well in his past three outings.

Fantasy Tip: With 15 runs allowed through 16 1/3 innings over his latest three outings, it is the worst stretch for Arrieta since joining the Cubs in 2014. Expect a bounce-back run in the second half, but Arrieta's best might be in the rear-view mirror. He's still a No. 1 hurler in all fantasy formats, though.

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| Source: Chicago Sun-Times - Daryl Van Schouwen

Fri, 08 Jul 2016 20:23:32 -0700

Chicago Cubs SP Jake Arrieta lost for the third time in four starts, allowing six runs on nine hits while walking one and striking out six over six innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates Friday, July 8.

Fantasy Tip: Arrieta has allowed a combined 15 runs in his last three starts, and he has officially hit a rough patch. Continue to start him in season-long formats, but you may want to avoid him in DFS formats.

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| Source: The Associated Press

Fri, 08 Jul 2016 18:54:01 -0700

Chicago Cubs SP Jake Arrieta's recent struggles may be due in large part to his inability to throw a slider effectively. Since June 1, he has experienced lower swing, miss, chase and in-zone location rates due to a lower spin rate on his slider. As a result of being unable to get as much movement on the pitch as he would like, Arrieta has started using it less frequently.

Fantasy Tip: Entering play Friday, July 8, Arrieta had posted a 4.05 ERA and 1.44 WHIP through his last six starts, with 12 percent of batters faced during that span walking and one-third of batters faced reaching base. His struggles continued versus the Pittsburgh Pirates Friday, with six runs and nine hits allowed over six innings, with one walk and six strikeouts. Arrieta is too talented to bench in seasonal leagues but DFS owners may want to think twice before using him again.

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| Source: ESPN Stats and Information - Ken Woolums

Sat, 02 Jul 2016 19:46:17 -0700

Chicago Cubs SP Jake Arrieta lost a road start for the first time in 14 months, allowing four runs on eight hits while walking two and striking out four over 5 1/3 innings against the New York Mets Saturday, July 2.

Fantasy Tip: Arrieta is hitting his first rough patch in quite a while. He has pitched fewer than six innings in three straight starts, allowing nine runs during that span. Continue to start him in season-long leagues, but you may want to shy away from him in DFS formats until he is back on top of his game.

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| Source: The Associated Press

Mon, 27 Jun 2016 20:18:07 -0700

Chicago Cubs SP Jake Arrieta struggled with his command yet again despite picking up his National League-leading 12th win versus the Cincinnati Reds on Monday, June 27, giving up season highs in runs (five) and walks (five) while working a season-low five innings. Arrieta did help his own cause at the plate, however, by going 2-for-3 with a solo home run and scoring twice.

Fantasy Tip: Expect a report in the coming days about Arrieta finding a flaw in his mechanics; Monday marks the sixth time in his 13 starts he has issued at least four free passes - a stretch that incidentally began with his April 21 no-hitter against the Reds. What's worse is the 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner has worked exactly five frames six times over that same span, so he isn't giving himself a chance to ring up many strikeouts. Keep Arrieta in lineups against a struggling New York Mets' offense on Saturday.

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| Source: ESPN.com