June 27--ST. LOUIS -- The Chicago Cubs' best chances of snapping a two-game losing streak Friday night rest on the right arm of Jake Arrieta.
Arrieta is coming off a four-hit shutout Sunday at Minnesota, but he threw a career-high 122 pitches.
Arrieta will be facing National League Central leader St. Louis at Busch Stadium. Arrieta is 3-1 lifetime with a 1.51 ERA against them in seven starts, but that loss occurred May 7 here against John Lackey -- whom he'll be facing.
Manager Joe Maddon is aware of Arrieta's high pitch counts but likes the fact his average pitches per inning in his past six starts doesn't case extra concern.
"I'll be more careful in a sense, unless he's got a no-hitter in the eighth inning, and I'll just sit on my hands," Maddon joked.
