The Chicago Cubs have named Jon Lester their Opening Day starter, with Jake Arrieta set to pitch Game 2.
"I had the conversation this morning," Joe Maddon said. "I called Jon Lester and asked Jonny if he'd mind being the Opening Day starter. He's earned it and deserved it. I also talked to Jake about being the No. 2 guy. Jake understood why we went with Jon first."
It will be Lester's second Opening Day start in three years for the Cubs. Arrieta was the Opening Day starter in 2016 after winning the Cy Young Award the year before.