Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago CubsChicago Cubs Pick Center

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Time: 08:05 P.M. EST Venue: Wrigley Field   Though Jake Arrieta has looked more human than usual on the mound this month, he's still in position to make more history. He did so in his last matchup with the Los Angeles Dodgers. As Arrieta faces the visiting Dodgers for the first time since he no-hit them last summer, the Chicago Cubs try to win a major league-record 24th straight game with their ace on the hill Tuesday night. Arrieta (9-0, 1.72 ERA) had a remarkable 0.55 ERA during an 18-start stretch prior to posting a decent 3.24 ERA in the last four. For the first time in 30 starts, the right-hander gave up more than three runs Wednesday - allowing four and seven hits over five innings of a 9-8 win at St. Louis." He has not pitched as well as he can yet," manager Joe Maddon told MLB's official website. "You'll see the day when he goes out with that fastball command and it'll be the eighth inning with 92 pitches and it'll be a good day." Still, Arrieta can become the majors' first 10-game winner after Chicago (35-14) won his 23rd consecutive start - matching Atlanta's record behind Kris Medlen in 2012." That's baseball," said Arrieta, who also looks to become the first in franchise history to go 10-0 since Jim McCormick in 1886. "You can go out and give up one run and get the loss. We'll ride it out and see where it goes." Maddon is grateful for the chance to witness all the success surrounding Arrieta." He's on a nice run now, a historic run," said Maddon, whose club has won six in a row after dropping eight of 12. "I will take a moment to sit back and think I've been watching this the whole time." Maddon certainly enjoyed watching Arrieta on Aug. 30 at Dodger Stadium, when he struck out 12 in a 2-0 victory for the first of his two no-hitters over an 11-start span. Chase Utley, who fanned for the final out of that contest, is 0 for 10 against Arrieta. Adrian Gonzalez is hitless with a walk in his last 11 plate appearances against him.'' We'll just go out there and try to put some at-bats and hits together,'' Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. Los Angeles (27-25) managed one hit - Justin Turner's pop fly lost in the sun in the first inning - of Monday's 2-0 defeat. After Jason Hammel left with a cramped hamstring prior to the start of the third inning, four Cubs relievers did not allow a baserunner the rest of the way. Facing the Cubs for the first time since 2010, Scott Kazmir (4-3, 4.84) improved to 2-0 in his last three starts after allowing a run and striking out a season-high 12 in six innings of Wednesday's 3-1 victory over Cincinnati.'' My rhythm is getting a lot better with all my pitches," the left-hander said. "That's the key to be able to have that fastball command. I was able to go in and out and use my changeup off the plate.'' Each of Kazmir's last two wins came at home, where he has a 3.56 ERA despite going 2-3. He's 2-0 in five road starts but owns an 8.02 ERA in the last four. Ben Zobrist is 1 for 7 in the regular season against Kazmir, but has hit safely in a career high-tying 16 straight games and is batting .458 in his last 23. Dexter Fowler is 1 for 9 against Kazmir, but could have a chance to improve on those numbers after sitting Monday with a sore heel." I wanted to give him (a day off)," Maddon said. "He should be able to start (Tuesday.)"

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