ST. LOUIS – This is why the Cubs gave Jon Lester six years and $155 million guaranteed: To beat the best team in baseball – the franchise’s biggest rival – and transform this group into the kind of contender they watch here seemingly every October.
Lester beat the St. Louis Cardinals twice during the 2013 World Series to win his second ring with the Boston Red Sox. But no one said this would be easy.
The Cubs hung on for a 6-5 win on Wednesday night in front of 42,207 at Busch Stadium. This wasn’t one of those oil paintings manager Joe Maddon talked about.