Longtime Chicago Cubs starter Jon Lester made his St. Louis Cardinals debut on Tuesday night, and it didn’t go as planned to say the least.
Lester had a rough first inning, as the Braves scored five runs and tabbed the 37-year-old for five hits. He had a 45.00 ERA in just one inning of work as a Cardinal, and it didn’t get much better from there.
The Cards acquired Lester from the Nationals for outfielder Lane Thomas. Despite struggling for much of the season, St. Louis was desperate for pitching, hence taking a shot on a starter of Lester’s caliber. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, it would appear Lester’s best days are behind him.
Lester is a five-inning pitcher at best at this point of his career. MLB Trade Rumors summed it up best:
"“He’s recorded an out in the sixth inning or later in just five of his 16 trips to the mound this season and has been rocked at a .333/.386/.627 clip on the rare occasions he’s been asked to turn a lineup over for a third time.”"
St. Louis Cardinals: Fans unhappy with Jon Lester’s performance in his debut
Lester was acquired alongside lefty J.A. Happ at the trade deadline. For the Cardinals’ sake, we hope Happ has better luck.
Cardinals fans are among some of the most impatient in baseball. Sitting as a longshot in the NL Wild Card race, they don’t have much time to waste, and Lester’s outing won’t help matters.
Jon Lester signed with the Cardinals just to screw them one last time
— Tony x (@soIoucity) August 4, 2021
https://twitter.com/zachsilver/status/1422713587479547910
jon lester pack pic.twitter.com/cd98PNiZa7
— Kev (@OnePursuitTakes) August 4, 2021
Jon Lester is six batters in. He has not recorded an out.
— Katie Woo (@katiejwoo) August 4, 2021
Jon Lester's final act as a baseball player will be to fuck over the Cardinals, I respect it.
— OWNER OF SPECIALIZED CUBS BOATS (@zee8552) August 4, 2021
Jon Lester, apparently pic.twitter.com/FjompbvsF6
— The Tomfoolery of Professor John Frink (@Frustrated_Fan) August 4, 2021
It took 31 pitches to get there, but Jon Lester has recorded his first three outs as a Cardinal with a cool 45.00 STL ERA. And he passed the sticky stuff check on the way off the field, so he has that going for him.
— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) August 4, 2021
Can’t believe a real team voluntarily gave us a player so Jon Lester could play for them pic.twitter.com/0eNAstIbGL
— george (@misco05) August 4, 2021
Jon Lester doing what he’s done well for years, beating the Cardinals.
— worst team in nl (@CardinalsRant_) August 4, 2021
Unfortunately it’s 2021 and he plays for the Cardinals. Not good.
When you see Jon Lester is still frustrating the Cardinals… even when he plays for them: pic.twitter.com/qvC8xa3Ohp
— Cubraham Lincoln (@cubraham) August 4, 2021
There were many more.
St. Louis’ rotation has been in shambles since a season-altering injury to ace Jack Flaherty. Since then, their depth has been tested, and the Cardinals have failed.