Jake
Arrieta had success against the Pirates, going 3-1 with an 0.75 ERA in five starts against them this season.
Elias Sports Bureau research notes that his ERA is tied for the lowest ERA a pitcher has had in the regular season against a team he’d go on to face that postseason.
In 36 innings against Pittsburgh this season, Arrieta struck out 33 batters and walked just five. He allowed 18 hits -- 15 singles and three doubles -- good for a slugging percentage of .176.
If there was one area that could be classified as a weakness for Arrieta against the Pirates, it would be inside pitches.
Arrieta threw about one-quarter of his pitches on the inner third this season, and Pirates hitters were 7-for-26 (.269) in at-bats ending with a pitch in that location. They hit .118 against pitches in all other locations against Arrieta.
Cole
In nine career starts against the Cubs, Cole is 7-1 with a 2.88 ERA.
He is undefeated in three starts against them at PNC Park.
In 2015, Cole was 2-1 with a 2.13 ERA in four starts against the Cubs, striking out 32 and walking four. He allowed 20 hits in 25 1/3 innings, with a Tommy La Stella double as the only extra-base hit he allowed.
Cole used his fastball against the Cubs, throwing it 71 percent of the time, his highest percentage against any NL opponent this season.
The Cubs hit .264 in at-bats ending with fastballs this season, worst in the National League and third-worst in the majors. They swung and missed 21 percent of the time against fastballs, trailing only the Astros this season.
Against Cole, the Cubs hit .238 against fastballs, swinging and missing 22 percent of the time.
