Lester tosses gem for Chicago Cubs vs. Dodgers
The Chicago Cubs have gotten off to such a good start this season, but that won't stop them from trying to improve.
General manager Jed Hoyer kicked off June by meeting with reporters before Wednesday night's 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Jon Lester tossed a complete game for the Cubs, who got a 2-run homer from Kris Bryant in the third inning.
“I really think that might have been the best I've seen Jonny since he's been here,” said Cubs manager Joe Maddon, whose team improved to 36-15. “Why? He maintained his velocity throughout, his strike throwing throughout. His cutter was 91 (mph) in the ninth inning. Curveball had depth to it. Repeated his delivery over and over.”
Lester improved to 6-3 with a 2.29 ERA. It was his second complete game as a Cub and the 13th of his career.
“It was fun,” Lester said. “It was a good atmosphere tonight. The crowd was into it from Pitch 1.”
Hoyer and team president Theo Epstein have their scouts out looking at possible trade targets, but Hoyer reminded reporters the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline is still a long way off.
“I've said this before: We made early deals two years in a row, and it was early July,” Hoyer said. “This is June 1. It's still really early. We're doing our due diligence, working hard, scouting players who may be available, but it's still exceptionally early in the trade season for anything.”
Getting off to a good start should help the Cubs deal from a position of strength.
“First of all, we have a long way to go to the deadline to maintain that kind of pace,” Hoyer said. “The best-case scenario for a team is to be in a very clear position. I think the most important thing is to know exactly where you stand going into the trading season.
“Right now we're in the process of looking at who might be traded and scouting those guys. But certainly we're still in the part of the season where your reinforcements come from within.”
At the same time the Cubs are feeling good about themselves, they're also analytical enough to know that needs will arise. The pitching has been good overall, even with a rough outing or two from the bullpen.
Lester gave up a leadoff home run to Kiké Hernandez in the first inning but was smooth after that.
Bryant gave the Cubs a 2-1 lead in the third with his 12th homer of the year. Dexter Fowler led off the inning with a walk. After Jason Heyward lined out to right field, Bryant hit a 1-0 pitch from Dodgers starter Mike Bolsinger over the wall in center field.
“It was more of a mentality approach there, knowing he got me out with three curveballs my first at-bat,” Bryant said. “I knew I was going to get another one in the zone. I took advantage of it.”