How Cubs' Lester earned Game 1 start
The Cubs had four starters with 15 or more wins in the regular season, and John Lackey's 11-8 record was hardly shame worthy.
Manager Joe Maddon would be comfortable, and confident, with any of his five starters on the mound tonight at Wrigley Field for Game 1 of the National League division series, but Jon Lester checks every qualification box and deserves to get the ball.
"Jonny's been on a real significant roll," Maddon said. "There's a component of meritocracy involved I think, the fact that he's earned the right to be this guy."
Making his fourth straight trip to the playoffs - and seventh overall - Lester is not going to be overwhelmed by the big stage when he matches up against San Francisco Giants right-hander Johnny Cueto.
Lester is also pitching at home, and the 32-year-old lefty set a franchise record by delivering 15 quality starts in as many tries at Wrigley during the regular season.
Of course, this is a new season, but Lester is prepared for the increased intensity.
"We all know what time of year this is and what we're playing for," Lester said. "The preparation and the mindset remain the same, but when you're out there you know what you're playing for.
"You know this could be my last start of the year. I think we all know that and I think the biggest thing is just being able to harness that, not run from that.
"I think where a lot of people get themselves in trouble, and I don't like to use the word scared, but that's kind of it, you pitch timid as opposed to just going out and attacking hitters.
"Throwing the fastball down and away in May works just the same as it does in October. But if you throw that fastball down and away timid, it's not going to work too well."
Cueto is never timid on the mound, and while he might not have the postseason credentials of rotation mate Madison Bumgarner, the 30-year-old righty allowed only 1 run on 2 hits while pitching a complete game in the World Series for the Royals last year.
"I like to pitch when it's a sold-out crowd with everybody cheering for me or against me," Cueto said through an interpreter. "That kind of motivates me."
Lester faced the Giants twice this season. On May 22, he lasted just 2⅔ innings at San Francisco and allowed 5 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks.
Facing the Giants at Wrigley on Sept. 2, Lester took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and got the win after pitching a complete game and allowing 1 run on 3 hits.
Cueto pitched against the Cubs at Wrigley on Sept. 4 and pitched well in a 3-2 loss, allowing 1 run on 5 hits in 7 innings.
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