Jon Lester to start Game 1 of World Series … Cubs announce rotation of Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta, Kyle Hendricks and John Lackey
The Cubs made it official Monday and announced Jon Lester will start Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday at Progressive Field. The Indians are sending former Cy Young Award winner RHP Corey Kluber to the hill … Game 1 of the World Series: Jon Lester vs. Corey Kluber
Jake Arrieta, Kyle Hendricks and John Lackey will follow Lester in the Cubs’ World Series rotation. Jake Arrieta gets the ball for Game 2 in Cleveland. Kyle Hendricks makes the start at Wrigley for Game 3. John Lackey starts Game 4.
Jon Lester shared the NLCS Most Valuable Player Award with Javier Baez. Lester was 1-0 in two starts against the Dodgers with a 1.38 ERA and 0.84 WHIP (two runs on nine hits with two walks and nine strikeouts in 13 innings). Lester is 2-0 in three starts this postseason with a 0.86 ERA and 0.76 WHIP (two runs on 14 hits with two walks and 14 strikeouts in 21 innings).
For his career, Jon Lester is 3-0 in three starts in the World Series with a 0.43 ERA and 0.76 WHIP (one run, 12 hits, four walks, 18 strikeouts, 21 innings). Lester pitched for Indians’ manager Terry Francona in the 2007 and 2013 while he was in the Red Sox dugout.
Lester was 19-5 in 32 starts this season with a 2.44 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 3.41 FIP. In Interleague play this season, Lester was 4-0 with a 1.00 ERA and 0.85 WHIP. Lester faced the Angels, Mariners, A’s and Astros. Lester allowed three runs on 21 hits with two walks and 26 strikeouts in 27 innings.
Jon Lester is the first pitcher to start Game 1 of the NLDS, NLCS and World Series in more than one postseason.
2016 World Series Probable Starters
- Game 1 – Tuesday, Oct. 25 (7:08pm CDT) – Progressive Field – LHP Jon Lester vs. RHP Corey Kluber
- Game 2 – Wednesday, Oct. 26 (7:08pm CDT) – Progressive Field – RHP Jake Arrieta vs. RHP Trevor Bauer
- Game 3 – Friday, Oct. 28 (7:08pm CDT) – Wrigley Field – RHP Kyle Hendricks vs. RHP Josh Tomlin
- Game 4 – Saturday, Oct. 29 (7:08pm CDT) – Wrigley Field – RHP John Lackey vs. TBD
- Game 5 – Sunday, Oct. 30 (7:08pm CDT) – Wrigley Field
- Game 6 – Tuesday, Nov. 1 (7:08pm CDT) – Progressive Field
- Game 7 – Wednesday, Nov. 2 (7:08pm CDT) – Progressive Field
The Indians have not ruled out the possibility of switching Trevor Bauer with Josh Tomlin for Game 2 and have Bauer start Game 3. The Indians are hoping Bauer is able to start Game 2, instead of Game 3 at Wrigley. Bauer would not have to hit if he was able to pitch in Game 2.
Jake Arrieta faces the Indians at Progressive Field in Game 2. Arrieta will be starting on seven days rest after pitching in Game 3 at Dodger Stadium.
The Cubs are sending Kyle Hendricks to the mound in the first World Series game at Wrigley Field since Game 7 of the ’45 World Series (Oct. 10, 1945). Hendricks will be pitching on five days rest after his brilliant performance in Game 6 of the NLCS.
John Lackey makes the start in Game 4 on Saturday at Wrigley. Lackey will have nine days between starts.
• Cubs World Series Schedule, Broadcast Information