Report: Lester will pitch middle innings in Game 7 |
Cubs manager Joe Maddon has been second guessed with his recent decision to pitch Aroldis Chapman for multiple innings in several games in the postseason. Maddon has not appeared confident in the majority of the other relievers available in his bullpen including former elite closer Hector Rondon.
However, Maddon might literally have an ace up his sleeve with Jon Lester in the pivotal Game 7 of the World Series on Wednesday night. "Lester, who would be working on two days rest after throwing 90 pitches in Game 5, will be the middle man, sources said according to Fox analyst Ken Rosenthal. "His personal catcher, David Ross, will enter with him, replacing Willson Contreras, and likely play the rest of the way in the final game of his career." In the 2016 postseason, Lester has a 3-1 record with a 1.93 ERA in 32.2 innings giving up only 24 hits, seven runs, five walks, and 26 strikeouts.
