Cubs tab Lester to start NLCS Game 2

by
Dennis Wierzbicki / USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Cubs will turn to left-handed starter Jon Lester for Game 2 of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.

Lester will be working on four days' rest after throwing 55 pitches in 3 2/3 relief innings in Game 4 of the NLDS against the Washington Nationals.

Through 143 1/3 postseason innings, the 33-year-old owns a 2.57 ERA. In 2017, Lester posted a 4.33 ERA over 180 2/3 frames while striking out one batter per inning.

Lester will face off against fellow southpaw Rich Hill, who takes the bump for the Dodgers in Game 2 in Los Angeles. Yu Darvish will take Game 3 when the series heads to Chicago, while the Cubs have yet to commit to a starter.

Jose Quintana was tasked with facing the Dodgers in Saturday's Game 1, with John Lackey appearing to be the odd man out.

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