NLCS Game One: Jon Lester set to battle The Dark Knight in New York

The day is finally here. With only four teams left and the Kansas City Royals claiming the ALCS opener over the Toronto Blue Jays last night, it’s time for the Jon Lester and the Chicago Cubs to take the field.

In case you forgot, or have been living under a rock, the Cubs clinched the N.L. Wild Card only to move on to the NLDS. Not only did the Cubbies eliminate the best team in baseball, but they did it in front of their own fans.

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Just two days later and skipper Joe Maddon released his starters for the first two games of the series and mentioned that Addison Russell would not be available to play.

Now these two teams have met during the regular season. The Cubs claimed all seven of those games and both Lester and Jake Arrieta picked up wins in a few decisions against the Mets.

Since then, both clubs added several pieces to their organization which helped lift them to where they are right now. For the Mets, their young starting rotation buckled down and the bat of Yoenis Cespedes sparked a ton of deep balls and runs.

As for the Cubs, it was all about the rookies coming together and playing to their full potential like we all know they would. Guys such as Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, and Kyle Schwarber have been swinging for the fences since making their big league debuts this season.

Hopefully, they’ll be able to provide run support for their veteran southpaw who only received two hits as back-up in his first outing against the Cardinals.

Lester (0-1, 3.68 ERA) pitched great opposite John Lackey on Oct. 9, surrendering three earned runs on five hits while issuing only one walk and recording nine strikeouts across 7 1/3 innings of work.

His counterpart, Matt Harvey (1-0, 3.60 ERA), or The Dark Knight of Gotham, gave up two earned runs on seven hits with two walks and seven punch outs on Oct. 12th while hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. central time and will air live on TBS, WBBM 780.

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