Jake Arrieta understands why you’re asking the question, even if he doesn’t exactly agree with the premise.



An hour before he threw his bullpen Saturday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park, Arrieta stood in the clubhouse sporting his typical cut-off tank top and drinking a green smoothie. The day before he enjoyed playing catch and throwing batting practice to his son, Cooper. Arrieta is in the second season of a three-year, $75 million contract and has embraced this chapter of his life in Philadelphia. He’s already started 40 games for the Phillies, his third big-league organization.



And yet Monday night represents one hurdle he has not cleared: a start at Wrigley Field against the Cubs, the franchise with which he turned around his career. Arrieta wanted to start in Chicago when the Phillies played there last season, but the rotation didn’t align properly. Last season, he carried an edge after his free agency dragged into March. This year has...