David Ross Reveals Jon Lester Will Not Be Cubs' Opening Day Starter for First Time Since 2015
By Michael Luciano
David Ross is putting the finishing touches on what should be a top notch Chicago Cubs starting rotation, but the neophyte manager is still undecided on who will get the ball Opening Day.
One thing we do know? It's not going to be Jon Lester.
Ross claims that Yu Darvish and Kyle Hendricks are competing for the No. 1 spot this spring, and the winner of the mini-competition will start against against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park.
Ross was straightforward about it. Darvish and Hendricks are just ahead of Jon Lester at this point in all their careers. https://t.co/TOvOAY5ohl
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) March 11, 2020
Darvish, one of the best at missing bats in the entire game, put up a 3.98 ERA last year, but that overshadows the fact that he walked just seven batters while striking out 118 in 13 second-half starts.
Hendricks, on the other end of the spectrum, has rode his mid-80s sinker to a 3.46 ERA or lower in each of the last four seasons. While not a strikeout artist, his unique style of pitching is incredibly effective in the modern game.
This is a slight changing of the guard in Chicago, as Lester, who has been the Opening Day starter since his arrival on the North Side in 2015, has been named the No. 3 starter.
David Ross declines to name the Cubs' Opening Day starter, but indicates the decision will come down to Yu Darvish or Kyle Hendricks, with Jon Lester slotting in as the No. 3 starter.
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) March 11, 2020
If Darvish continues his second half form from last season, there really isn't a wrong answer here for Ross, as both of them have excellent resumes worthy of a No. 1 starter.