Much was made before the game about the Cubs’ tendency to strike out. Chicago’s batters certainly did lead the league in strikeout percentage during the regular season, but the Pittsburgh lineup wasn’t far behind — they tied for 10th in baseball. And in a plate-discipline number that perhaps flew under the radar, the Pirates had the 12th-lowest rate of walks as well. (The Cubs at least ranked third in walk percentage.) That’s another reason it probably shouldn’t have been a surprise that the Pirates’ batters have struggled to control the strike zone against Jake Arrieta so far tonight.
