Jon Lester has not pitched particularly well over the past month with the Chicago Cubs clinging to the division lead in the NL Central, and he knows that has to change going forward.
Lester gave up a season-high 10 earned runs in just four innings of an 11-4 loss to the Oakland A’s on Tuesday night. He made no excuses after the game and called himself the “weakest link” in Chicago’s rotation.
Lester: "When it comes down to it, the injuries are the injuries but I'm pretty much the weakest link in the rotation right now and need to figure out a way to right the ship, pick my end up, and do better. Flat out do better."
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) August 7, 2019
Lester allowed five runs in five innings in his previous start, which ended up being an 8-0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cubs have leaned on him for consistency in the past, but Lester has seen his ERA climb nearly a full run to 4.46 following his two duds.
The Cubs have benefitted from some sub-par play from their division foes this year. They still have a 2.5-game lead in the NL Central over the Cardinals despite their 61-52 record, so they’re in good shape for the stretch run. Maybe Lester is thinking too much about the baseballs MLB is manufacturing, but his performance over the final two months of the season will be something to watch.
