Chicago Cubs’ pitcher Jake Arrieta was supposed to be this year’s Madison Bumgarner in the postseason. Bumgarner’s October run in 2014 was eye-popping, as he thoroughly dominated while leading the San Francisco Giants to their third World Series title in five seasons. Entering this year’s October spotlight, Arrieta seemed poised to make a similar run of extraordinary pitching excellence with Bumgarner out of the way.
In the second half this year, Arrieta allowed 12 runs in 15 starts, striking out 113 batters in 107.1 innings pitched. Opponents hit just .