Chicago Cubs: Jon Lester is the club ace through and through

Chicago Cubs: Nothin’ but consistency

Jon Lester has been in the major leagues for a whopping 13 seasons. Throughout that time, the veteran left-hander has started at least 30 games per season in eleven of those years. Talk about an unyielding consistency.

At nearly 30 years old when he signed with the Cubs, it remained to be seen how effective Lester could be. After all, he brought with him a track record of 1,596 big league innings. However, the Cubs couldn’t have asked for more from him over the past four seasons. In that span, Lester has made 32 starts per season, going over the 200 innings pitched mark twice. This season, the two-time Cy Young runner-up has made 30 starts. By season’s end, he will once again most likely hit that 32-start mark.

The vet has pitched this season with a clean bill of health. He has avoided a stint on the disabled list, which has been key to his consistency. It has helped him establish himself as the most consistent pitcher for the Cubs this season, giving him more credence to the “ace” status.