When we did this last month, Jake Arrieta was undefeated, had a 1.00 ERA and a recent no-hitter under his belt. We couldn’t justify knocking him out of the top spot that he came into the season with as the reigning Cy Young winner. After another outstanding month, where he was still perfect and actually lowered his FIP, he’s been dropped down with reluctance.
Even though WAR puts Syndergaard and Strasburg ahead of the Cubs ace, it’s all those other things that makes him a shoe-in for a big number of votes this season. He’s (tied for) first in ERA and wins, still has the only 2016 no-hitter, and is the leader of the best team in baseball. The Cubs don’t seem to want to lose, going 37-15 in the first two months and look like they deserve to be in a league higher than everyone else.
Last month, we marveled at the fact that Arrieta hadn’t lost in 18 starts. Well now it’s up to 24, as he didn’t falter this month either. The Cubs are 23-1 in those games after the team couldn’t hold on to his latest seven-inning, two-hit performance. Until he does lose a game, he won’t drop further than second on most voter cards, and even then it’s taken an all-time performance to get him down that far.
Next: The GOAT?