Disregard Arrieta's Performance Last Night

Jake Arrieta gave up 6 earned runs last night, the most he's given up in a game since 2014.  That's a lot of runs to give up in one game.  Arrieta only gave up 6 earned runs total in a span of 15 regular season stats, stretching from the middle of August last year into May this year.  Giving up runs isn't such a foreign concept to Jake Arrieta anymore, though.  He's given up 15 in his last three starts.  Despite his best efforts, his accustomed efficacy isn't there.  This is his nadir -- hopefully.  Frustrations certainly are at an all-time high.

This is happening at an inopportune time, as well.  The Cubs are in a death spiral, losing 8 of their last 9, and 14 of their last 19.  When we need our stopper the most, he can't seem to stop the bleeding.  If anything, he's exacerbated it.  Jake knows that.  He's an intense competitor.  There is no one hurting more than him.  Getting out of this rut must seem like a Sisyphean task.  If this all sounds too depressing, then I have good news for you:  Last night wasn't so bad for Jake.  He did get shelled, but he got shelled... differently.  More importantly, he changed his approach in order to correct some issues he's been having.