Cubs
name Lester as Game One starter for World Series
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[October 25, 2016]
(Reuters) - Veteran left-hander
Jon Lester on Monday was named the Chicago Cubs' starting pitcher
for Tuesday's World Series opener against the host Cleveland
Indians.
"It's awesome," Lester, the co-Most Valuable Players of the National
League Championship Series, told reporters. "Especially to be a part
of this organization with all the history and all that fun stuff
that we keep being a part of and talking about."
The Cubs, appearing in their first World Series in 71 years, are
trying to win their first Major League Baseball title since 1908 -
the longest championship drought in professional sports.
Lester will be going against 2014 American League Cy Young Award
winner Corey Kluber in the opener of the best-of-seven series.
Kluber held the Boston scoreless over seven innings in the AL
Division Series and allowed two runs over 11-1/3 innings in the AL
Championship Series against Toronto to enter the World Series with a
0.98 ERA in the postseason.
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Cubs manager Joe Maddon is confident handing the ball to Lester.
"Lester's been there, done that before," Maddon said after the Cubs
punched their ticket to the World Series for the first time since
1945 by beating the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In three career World Series starts while with Boston, Lester is 3-0
with a 0.43 ERA.
In the National League Championship Series, Lester held the Dodgers
to two runs over 13 innings in Games One and Five, resulting in two
Cubs wins.
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![](../images/102516pics/sports65.jpg)
Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester (34) talks to the media during work
out day prior to the start of the 2016 World Series at Progressive
Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
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"Joe (Maddon) talks about staying in the moment, stay relevant with
what we're doing now," said Lester. "I think this group has done a
real good job of that.
"We're the last two teams. This is one of the goals you set. You
want to be the last team standing."
Lester was 19-5 with a 2.44 ERA in 32 starts with the Cubs this
season.
(Reporting by Larry Fine in New York; Editing by Frank Pingue)
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