Each day in March, NBC Sports Chicago is previewing one player from the Cubs’ expected 2020 Opening Day roster. Next up is starting pitcher Jon Lester.
2019 recap
Without sugarcoating it, 2019 was one of the worst seasons of Lester’s career. The veteran lefty posted a 4.46 ERA and 1.50 WHIP, surrendering a National League-high 205 hits. He made 30+ starts for the 12th straight season but tossed 171 2/3 innings — his lowest total since 2007 (63).
Lester’s four-seam fastball velocity fell to 90.8 mph on average — the lowest of his career.