Cubs’ Jake Arrieta is built to follow no-hitter with another memorable start

11:51 AM ET

CHICAGO — All eyes will be on Chicago Cubs right hander Jake Arrieta when he takes the mound Wednesday for the first time since no-hitting the Cincinnati Reds last week in a 16-0 victory. Some are even wondering if he can do it again because he faces the Milwaukee Brewers, who rank 14th in the National League with a .230 batting average. He’ll be throwing in a pitching-friendly climate as well, and temperatures are expected to be in the low- to mid-40s.

But did Arrieta expend too much in throwing 119 pitches in his second career no-hitter?

“Do people expect me to be weak after a no-hitter?” Arrieta said over the weekend. “It wasn’t really a workload that was different than every time out honestly. No added stress on any pitches. Just same as usual.”

The “no added stress” part makes sense, considering the win was the largest margin of victory in a no-hitter since 1884. Arrieta, who is 4-0 with a 0.87 ERA, also had an extra day between starts because the Cubs were off Monday and manager Joe Maddon doesn’t like to skip his starters.

“Extra days are part of the schedule,” Arrieta said. “Save my bullets, prepare in other ways. Once your arm strength is built up, you only need to throw so much. I feel fresh that way. Once you get locked in mechanically, once you get your timing, it kind of sticks with you.”

Arrieta’s …

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