Chicago Cubs: Jon Lester will not pitch during All-Star Game

In light of several members of the Chicago Cubs being selected to the All-Star game, one would be replaced. Tough break but it isn’t anything us fans need to worry about.

Over the weekend, it was revealed that Javier Baez, Willson Contreras, and Jon Lester were selected to the All-Star Game in Washington, D.C. For Lester, it marks his fifth selection, second as a member of the Cubs.

On the other hand, it’s a first time experience for Baez and Contreras. In addition to his first All-Star appearance, Javier will participate in the Home Run Derby on Monday. Who will be joining him?

None other than outfielder Kyle Schwarber. Hopefully, these two will provide more long balls than Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo when the All-Star Game was in Cincinnati.

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Now, back to Lester and his fifth appearance as an All-Star. Under the American League, Jon represented both the Boston Red Sox. The former NLCS co-MVP made his first All-Star trip as a member of the Cubs in 2016.

He would later earn said NLCS co-MVP honors and another World Series title that year. In 2018, Lester continued to prove that he is the ace for this Chicago Cubs staff.

Putting in work

In 18 starts this season, Lester carries a 2.45 ERA and a team-best 11-2 record with a K/BB ratio of 81/38. He is currently 6-0 in his previous seven starts, receiving a no-decision against the Reds on July 8.

Over the course of those seven starts, the 34-year-old veteran worked through 43 1/3 frames, yielding 10 earned runs. Also, he hammered a three-run homer. Still, probably his best at-bat as a professional hitter.

Let’s see if Santa Monica Studios cuts him a little bit of slack in the power department in their upcoming MLB The Show 18 roster updates.

Maybe next year

Although Lester was selected to represent the National League next week, MLB.com reported that he’ll be replaced by Zack Greinke. Why? Well, the Cubs begin a weekend road trip in San Diego this weekend and he’s slated to start Sunday’s series finale.

A series that could potentialy result in the Cubs finishing the first half of the season in first place. They currently trail the Brewers by just one game in the division.

Bittersweet but at least he’s not missing out because of an injury. So, let’s be thankful. Either way, this weekend’s three-game set will be somewhat of a homecoming for slugger Kris Bryant. Bryant attended San Diego University and was part of that 2016 All-Star team with Lester.

Actually, a handful of Chicago’s 25-man roster made the trip to San Diego that year. If he’s able to duplicate his 2018 performance, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t in Cleveland, Ohio next season.

Next: Cubs have a pitching need; not ace

We’ll see how he performs on Sunday and during the second half of the season when the team goes back to action on Thursday, July 19 at home.