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Player to Watch
For the second straight spring, pitcher Jon Lester is one of the key guys to watch during camp. Last year, Lester signed the mega deal to come to Chicago, was the hired ace at the time, and the obvious choice to take the ball on Opening Night. However, he missed time during camp with a minor injury, pitched less than nine innings in camp, and really was not able to get into a rhythm to start the season. His first year in Chicago was a roller coaster of success and slumps. Despite a losing record, and losing both playoff starts, Lester still managed to turn in 32 starts, over 200 innings pitched, and 200 strikeouts. After a rocky first month, he finished with a respectable ERA and his lowest walk total of any year in which he made 30 plus starts.
Now more relaxed, and even more familiar with the team and city, look for Lester to have a rebound year in 2016. His friend John Lackey is also a teammate once again, which should help as well. In year two, the spotlight will not be solely on Lester, as it was in 2015, and the lower pressure should allow him to go out and do what he does best, take the ball every fifth day and compete.
Arrieta “pitched like there were three of him on the mound”? What does that even mean? My guess is you found a cool graphic you wanted to use and you forced that goofy sentence in to introduce it.
Regression? Schwarber hit .240, Russell hit .240 and soler .260 with injuries. Not much to regress from with those guys. Don’t forget Baez either