MADDON PICKS ARRIETA TO START CUBS’ SEASON OPENER

As expected, National League Cy Young Award winner Jake Ar

rieta will start the Chicago Cubs’ season opener. Manager Joe

Maddon joked he had “another surprise” in making the announcement Tuesday. The Cubs, coming off a 97-win season and NL Championship Series appearance, open at the Los Angeles Angels on April 4. Arrieta led the majors in wins, going 22-6 and posting a 1.77 ERA. His ERA after the All-Star break was 0.75.

RICK SCUTERI, USA TODAY SPORTS The Cubs hope pitcher Jake Arrieta can pick up where he left off in 2015.