The Chicago Cubs announced Tuesday what became apparent 3 { weeks ago as left-hander Jon Lester will start Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Friday night at Wrigley Field.
Lester, who led the Cubs with 19 victories, will be followed by NL ERA leader Kyle Hendricks.
Lester, who has won World Series rings with the Boston Red Sox in 2007 and 2013, is 3-1 lifetime with a 4.67 ERA in five career starts against the New York Mets and 4-1 with a 2.25 ERA in five starts against the San Francisco Giants. The Mets will play host to the Giants on Wednesday night in the NL wild-card game to determine who will advance to play the Cubs.
Lester lost to the Mets 4-2 in Game 1 of the 2015 NL Championship Series, allowing four runs on eight hits in 6 2/3 innings. Lester was pounded for eight earned runs on nine hits in 1 1/3 innings of a loss to the Mets at Citi Field on July 3 but rebounded with a 5-1 win at Wrigley Field on July 18, where he allowed one run on four hits in 7 2/3 innings.
Lester lasted only 2 2/3 innings in a 5-3 loss to the Giants at AT&T Park on May 21 but rebounded with a three-hit complete game at Wrigley against the Giants on Sept. 2.
Hendricks is 3-0 lifetime against the Mets with an 0.47 ERA in three games and is 1-2 with a 4.32 ERA in three starts against the Giants.
Hendricks threw 6 1/3 shutout innings in a 6-2 win over the Mets at Wrigley Field on Sept. 20 but lost to the Giants 1-0 on May 22 at AT&T Park despite allowing only one run on three hits in 5 1/3 innings.
The Cubs adjusted their rotation on Sept. 9 to line up Lester for Game 1 of the playoffs.
