Stats Show Jon Lester is Struggling. Cubs Fans are not Worried.
In his last two seasons with the Cubs, Jon Lester has combined for three total losses after the All-Star break.
This year alone, he has already matched that total.
Following a strong first half and Lester’s fifth All-Star Game selection, the 34-year-old southpaw has struggled as of late. After notching a 2.45 ERA in the first half, Lester has a 7.82 ERA in seven starts since the All-Star Game. In those games, Lester has allowed the same earned run total that he did in the entire first half.
But Cubs fans were quick to defend the team’s ace and emphasized that as long as the Cubs reach the postseason, it’s better for Lester to work out his problems now.
“I’m not concerned at all,” said Ryan Hopper, a devoted Cubs fan. “Come playoff time, I know that Jon Lester has pitched in enough big games that he’ll be just fine.”
Statistics show Cubs fans like Hopper should be correct. Setting his regular season struggles aside, Lester has been remarkable in the postseason. In 25 postseason appearances across his career, Lester has posted an ERA of 2.55. That number drops to a 1.77 ERA in the World Series, with Lester winning four of his five starts.
Other fans recognized the impossibility of perfection from Lester during a 162-game season and said it’s important for the fan base to stand behind the players.
“I think we need to give Lester a break,” Mark Paliliunas said. “It might be a good idea to rest him toward the end of the season, but he always grinds it out come October.”
However, fans didn’t place the entirety of the blame on Lester, the 10th highest paid player in baseball. Even though Lester receives the highest run support total of any Cubs pitcher, the Cubs offense has also been inconsistent at times.
“The Cubs have been a very streaky team this year,” Hopper said. “Unfortunately there are days when they score 15 runs and days when they score no runs.”
Lizzie Pagura, another Cubs fan, echoed Hopper’s sentiment. Pagura said Lester doesn’t need to shine every outing but must cut down on his mistakes.
“You never know what you’re going to get with Lester,” Pagura said. “The consistency you would like to see in a pitcher just isn’t there right now, but I’m confident it will return come playoffs.”
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