Montero: Arrieta throws ‘Hall of Fame pitches’

CHICAGO — As good as Jake Arrieta has been, Cubs manager Joe Maddon feels the right-hander can be even better.

“He’s not been as sharp as he can be,” Maddon said. “I mean that. I’m not trying to be casual about it. There’s another level of sharpness for him.”

On Saturday, Arrieta struck out a season-high 11 batters and held the Pirates to three hits over eight innings in the Cubs’ 8-2 win. Arrieta’s stats are staggering.

• Arrieta now is 6-1 with a 0.75 ERA (five earned runs over 60 innings) in his last eight starts against the Pirates, including the postseason. He has struck out 49 while walking seven in that stretch.

• He’s now given up three or fewer runs in 28 straight starts, the longest streak in the Majors since 1893.

• Arrieta has won his last 18 decisions, the fourth-longest streak in MLB history since 1913. The Cubs have been victorious in his last 21 starts, the longest streak in franchise history and tied for the fourth-longest streak since 1913.

• Arrieta is the fifth pitcher in the modern era with at least 18 consecutive winning decisions …

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