Baltimore at Chicago

This one looks to be an easy one for Baltimore who has opened up a nine game lead in the AL East, and have been playing very crisp baseball. The Cubs will once again sit out the postseason. The Cubs are 17 games under .500, and having already dealt their top two pitchers away, it sure appears that they have no reason to be playing well, but they are, as they own a winning record over their last 24 games played. Jake Arrieta has taken over the lead role in the rotation, and at 6-4 with a nifty 2.61 ERA he has not disappointed. Arrieta has allowed a total of just 2 runs in his last two starts in 14.1 innings of work, and may have some extra incentive doing battle against his former team. The Birds have lost momentum after an off day at 2-6 in their last eight and the Cubs have been at their best in a series opener where they are 18-8 in their last 26. And, with Arrieta on the mound as a dog they have cashed 10 of their last 14. Back the Cubbies in this one.