Jon Lester to start NLCS Game 1 for Cubs, Jake Arrieta set for Game 2

The Cubs will go with Jon Lester for NLCS Game 1 and Jake Arrieta for Game 2.

Lefthanded pitcher Jon Lester will start Game 1 of the National League Championship Series for the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, the team announced on Thursday.

Lester will be pitching on seven days of rest after throwing 7 1/3 innings with nine strikeouts and three earned runs against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first game of the National League Division Series.

Lester owns a 6–5 record with a 1.05 WHIP and 2.66 ERA in 91.1 postseason innings pitched with the Boston Red Sox and Oakland Athletics.

The Cubs will go to Jake Arrieta for Game 2 off four days of rest. Arrieta recorded his worst start since July in Game 3 of the NLDS as he surrendered four earned runs off five hits in 5 2/3 innings.

The Cubs will face the winner of Thursday night’s NLDS Game 5 between the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers. The Cubs are in their first NLCS since 2003.

• Which team should Cubs want to face in NLCS: Dodgers or Mets?

- Christopher Chavez