On Monday morning, Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon named veteran Jon Lester the team’s starter for Opening Day. The news was reported by ESPN’s Jesse Rogers. This will be the fourth year Lester starts the opener for the Cubs as he enters his fifth year on his contract. In 2016, reigning National League Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta took the ball, the only time Lester hasn’t gotten the ball to open the regular season slate in his Cubs career.
There really is not much surprise with this decision. While Kyle Hendricks may be the best starter on the team going into 2019, Lester is still considered the ace even in his advanced age.