Cubs name Opening Day starter vs. Rangers |
The Chicago Cubs have a talented and veteran pitching staff with
Jon Lester,
Cole Hamels,
Kyle Hendricks,
Yu Darvish, and
Jose Quintana.
There was some question about who would get the upcoming 2019 opening day start vs. the Texas Rangers. Cubs manager Joe Maddon told reporters on Monday morning that Lester will get the nod on the road against the Rangers. It will be the fourth opening day start by Lester (8th overall) with the Cubs (2015, 2017, 2018, 2019), passing Hippo Vaughn for most by a lefty in team history. In those Opening Day starts, Lester is 0-1 with a 4.98 ERA an a 2.29 WHIP. In case you were wondering, Jake Arrieta made the opening day start for the Cubs in 2016. "I've been fortunate enough to do this a few times. It's always a huge honor," Lester said to reporters Monday. "I always go back to the organization and the guys that have started Opening Days here before. To be entrusted with that a couple times here and other places, that's just a huge honor to have that on your shoulders and try to get your team off to a good start." Lester was 18-6 with a 3.32 ERA with 149 strikeouts and 1.31 WHIP last season. For his career, he has amassed 177 wins and 2190 strikeouts. The Cubs have not yet announced the rest of the order of the pitching rotation. Opening Day 2019. #AceOfCubs pic.twitter.com/PpMWuYX0NA Jon Lester officially named #Cubs opening day starter #EverybodyIn #OwnItNow pic.twitter.com/3dbCsjCfbU Jon Lester will make his 8th Opening Day start, in Texas on March 28th.
More on the #Cubs ace: https://t.co/U7B5OgQQYb pic.twitter.com/WBziAYQSum
