The St. Louis Cardinals are no stranger to the postseason. The team has certainly been here time and time again. For the Chicago Cubs, this is new territory. The team has had a lengthy postseason drought that was ended this season. However, they are sending a pitcher to the mound in Game 1 that has plenty of experience in the playoffs as Jon Lester looks towards a rematch with the Cardinals in the 2013 World Series.
Jon Lester will be facing a familiar face as John Lackey takes the mound for the Cardinals. The two pitchers combined for three victories in six games against the Cardinals in 2013. Lester put up a 2-0 record with a 0.59 ERA while Lackey got the clinching win. Now they are on opposite teams, neither with the Red Sox. Lackey came to St. Louis during the mid-season deadline. He has been a bargain for the team as he pitches for the league minimum salary. He is certainly doing all that he can to earn another high-priced extension as he replaces the injured Adam Wainwright.
The Cubs are fresh off a win over the Pittsburgh Pirates where Jake Arrieta was a star giving up just four hits in the 4-0 win. Lester hopes to follow that up with a good game against the Cardinals. The pitcher certainly finds it funny that he will be facing a familiar face in this game.
"He's going to almost out-will you sometimes, if that makes sense," Lester said, via ESPN.com. "Our friendship will go beyond this game, will go beyond this career, but come tomorrow, we're not buddies anymore."
The Cubs are hoping to capitalize off the momentum they gained against the Pirates. Dexter Fowler went 3 for 4 which was the majority of the Cubs' offense. Facing Lackey with a young roster will not be easy. The Cubs lack playoff experience. Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Addison Russell represent the youth of the team that will be facing a very experienced Cardinals roster. It remains to be seen just active Yadier Molina will be in that group. The catcher is still wearing a splint on his thumb after he injured it against the Cubs in September.