[evan, wait until i confirm velocity data when BB adjusts]
Jon Lester’s velocity in his opening day start was 1.5 and 3 mph slower than his overall averages from last season and 2016, respectively. In fact, Lester’s outing against Miami was his slowest one-game average ever.
Don’t panic, as there are three relevant goodies from last season that should give us confidence. Despite Lester throwing almost one and a half ticks slower in 2017 compared to 2016, he still:
- Made batters whiff at a 25 percent rate, the best of his career.
- Induced more weak contact than at any point in his Cubs tenure.