Lester won't pitch in Game 4 with Cubs' season at stake

If the Chicago Cubs are to avoid getting swept out of the National League Championship Series, they'll have to do it without their high-priced offseason signing.

Cubs left-hander Jon Lester confirmed to reporters that he will not be made available for Wednesday's crucial Game 4 against the New York Mets at Wrigley Field. The Mets lead the best-of-seven series 3-0.

Lester, who threw 107 pitches over 6 2/3 innings in the series opener, would be pitching on three days' rest if Joe Maddon opted to use him out of the bullpen behind Game 4 starter Jason Hammel. The Cubs lost Game 1 to the Mets, 4-2, after Lester allowed four runs on eight hits with five strikeouts.

Lester has been solid in his first season with the Cubs, reaching 200 innings for the fourth straight year and authoring a 3.34 ERA and 1.12 WHIP over 32 starts. The Cubs made Lester the richest free-agent signing in franchise history when they inked him to a six-year, $155-million contract this past winter.