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Jul 19, 2015 - 5:29 AM Though he wasn't an All-Star like the Atlanta Braves' Shelby Miller, Jake Arrieta was certainly a standout performer in the first half for the Chicago Cubs.

Arrieta will seek to open his second half by registering his longest win streak when he pitches opposite Miller in Sunday's series finale in Atlanta.

Instead of heading to Cincinnati, Arrieta (10-5, 2.66 ERA) got some time off after a complete-game 3-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox last Sunday. The right-hander gave up two hits and walked none while striking out nine in his fourth consecutive victory and third in as many outings.

Arrieta also hit his first career homer while improving to 6-1 in his last eight starts. He has 1.13 ERA in his past five and has pitched into the seventh inning in all of those games.

"His stuff is definitely in the elite level of all major league pitchers, there's no question," manager Joe Maddon said.

Arrieta, who had his only four-start win streak in June 2014, is 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA in two starts against the Braves and allowed three runs in 7 2-3 innings in his latest matchup July 11, 2014. He will have a difficult act to follow after Jon Lester took a no-hitter into the eighth inning in a 4-0 victory Saturday and snapped the Cubs' franchise-worst eight-game skid in Atlanta.

Chicago (48-41) has won just three of the past 15 meetings with the Braves (43-48), losers in six of seven.

Atlanta's starters have a 5.45 ERA during that stretch, and Miller (5-5, 2.38) will try to provide a much-needed boost while earning his first win in 10 starts since May 17.

The right-hander took his fourth consecutive loss in his final start before the All-Star break July 10, giving up five runs and a career-high 11 hits over five innings in a 5-3 defeat in Colorado. He showed his frustration by throwing his hat and glove into the Braves' dugout following the Rockies' three-run fourth inning.

Miller couldn't take advantage of three runs of support after getting none in four consecutive outings. He's gotten a combined eight to work with in his last nine games and his 2.93 run support average is one of the worst among qualifying NL starters.

"Things are easy when you are rolling. Hopefully, this is a learning experience. We're not worried about him," utility man Kelly Johnson told MLB's official website. "He's an awesome teammate and he's having a heck of a year. So, we have tons of confidence in him."

Miller is 1-0 with a 2.86 ERA in four career starts against the Cubs.

It's unclear if he'll face Kyle Schwarber in this game. The Chicago rookie, batting .407 in eight games, went 3 for 4 in his return from the minors in Friday's series opener but was limited to a pinch-hit appearance Saturday.

"There's a plan in place. Let's stick to the plan," Maddon said.

Starlin Castro, who had an RBI single in four at-bats Saturday, is 4 for 40 in his last 12 games and 1 for 8 with three strikeouts lifetime against Miller.

A.J. Pierzynski, who broke up Lester's no-hit bid, is 6 for 8 with two homers against Arrieta. That's his best average versus any pitcher he's faced six or more times.