Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta put up the first no-hitter of the Major League Baseball season on Thursday, absolutely dominating the division-rival Cincinnati Reds to the tune of a 16-0 win.
The reigning National League Cy Young winner struck out six batters while walking four on 119 pitches. It was Arrieta’s second no-hitter of the past nine months. Only Washington Nationals starter Max Scherzer has accomplished that feat in between his two nearly perfect outings.
Arrieta’s performance also led to the Reds official Twitter account sending out a pretty hilarious game recap:
RECAP: #Reds draw four walks vs. Cubs. pic.twitter.com/PSY5I3DyBB
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) April 22, 2016
What’s not so hilarious for Chicago’s NL Central rivals is the utter domination Arrieta has displayed recently.
The 30-year-old now boasts a 4-0 record with a 0.87 ERA and a 0.68 WHIP this season. Opposing offenses are hitting a combined .144 against him in four starts.
Since the start of the 2015 campaign, Chicago’s ace is 26-6 with a 1.66 ERA in 37 starts. The Cubs boast a 29-8 record in those starts.
If these numbers catch your eye, just check out what Arrieta has done over the course of his past 16 starts:
Jake Arrieta's last 16 starts:
15-0, 0.53 ERA
2 no-hitter's*these stats are stupid* pic.twitter.com/GhD7E9YqQI
— CBS Sports MLB (@CBSSportsMLB) April 22, 2016
While the whole baseball world is focused on the likes of Jose Fernandez, Clayton Kershaw and Madison Bumgarner, Arrieta has proven himself to be the most-dominating pitcher in baseball over the past calendar year.
He now has Chicago with a 12-4 record and as the clear favorites in the division. And if the Cubs’ ace continues to perform at this level, there’s no doubt that they will be World Series favorites when all is said and done.