Jon Lester named Chicago Cubs opening night starter

 To the surprise of no one, the Chicago Cubs named free agent signee Jon Lester the team’s opening night starter.

In a move that was expected before the ink was dry on his six-year, $155 million contract Jon Lester signed in December, the Chicago Cubs officially named him the team’s opening night starter for their April 5 game against the rival St. Louis Cardinals.

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First-year manager Joe Maddon indicated earlier in the offseason that Lester was the likely pick to start the opener but wanted to speak to the former Boston Red Sox and Oakland A’s pitcher before making a formal statement.

After speaking with the southpaw, the Cubs announced Lester will start opening day for the fifth straight year after making the opening day starts for the Red Sox the previous four seasons.

Lester, 31, went a combined 16-11 with Boston and Oakland last year with a 2.46 ERA en route to finishing fourth in the American League Cy Young Award voting and making his third All-Star Game.

Following Lester in the rotation is last year’s breakout star, Jake Arrieta, fellow free agent signee, Jason Hammel, and second-year starter Kyle Hendricks.

The competition for the fifth spot will be a battle throughout spring training with free agent bust Edwin Jackson, former All-Star Travis Wood, Jacob Turner and Tsuyoshi Wada competing for the last spot.

“The competition around here is unbelievable on so many different levels,” Maddon said, via Cubs.com.

Lester was a vital signing in the winter for a franchise in need of an ace after trading Jeff Samardzija last July. His signing gave credence that the rebuilding plan in place is on track and perhaps even accelerated with his presence and success pitching in the postseason.

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