The Cubs made a huge splash last winter when they inked Jon Lester to a $155 million contract, but another pitcher should man the mound in a potential wild-card game -- $3 million man Jake Arrieta.
There is no doubt that when Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer and company opened up the club's wallet to land Lester on a six-year pact with an option for a seventh season, they had dreams of sending the left-hander to the hill in a do-or-die game.
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Then came the emergence of Arrieta as a Cy Young candidate this season and the man who should supplant Lester as the starter in a likely wild-card game next month. If the Chicago brass had any fear of bad blood from Lester if it opted to pitch Arrieta in the one-game playoff (likely against the Pirates), the left-hander all but alleviated any potential issues.
"I could give two flying you-know-whats who gets picked," Lester said after the Cubs' 4-3 loss to the rival Cardinals on Wednesday, according to ESPN. "Everybody has an ego and everyone wants to be that guy, but when it comes down to it, if he gives us the best chance to win that one-game playoff I'll be on the top step cheering my butt off for him to do well."
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Lester, 31, even went as far as to say that Arrieta is not only the club's best arm, but "probably the best pitcher in the league." The Cubs haven't reached a decision internally yet, and rightfully so with almost a full month of the season yet to play out.
Arrieta, 29, has emerged as one of the best pitchers in the game in 2015, ranking second in the NL in ERA (2.05) and average allowed (.194), third in WHIP (0.92) and fourth in strikeouts (197). The right-hander also paces the MLB with 18 wins and will look for his 19th victory against lowly Philadelphia on Thursday.
Arrieta also has a no-hitter under his belt as he shut down the Dodgers on Aug. 30, capping off a span where he earned Pitcher of the Month honors. Arrieta went 6-0 in August with a 0.43 ERA, one complete game, one shutout, and 43 strikeouts in 42 1/3 innings pitched.
Since signing his huge deal, Lester has had an up-and-down first season in the Windy City. The two-time World Series champion pitched to a 6.24 ERA in the first month of the season and has alternated good and bad months all year. Lester is 9-10 overall with a 3.50 ERA this season.
Another knock on Lester heading into a must-win game is his inability to attempt to pick-off runners and unwillingness to throw over to first base. The three-time All-Star has allowed a league-high 42 stolen bases this season.
If the Cubs end up facing the Pirates in a wild-card game where every run is vital, they'll battle a club that ranks fourth in the NL and sixth in the majors with 84 stolen bases. Starling Marte leads the charge, placing fifth in the NL with 26 steals.
With its latest loss to St. Louis, Chicago is 7.5 games back in the NL Central race, so its main focus is on catching Pittsburgh for the top wild-card spot so that the do-or-die game can be played at Wrigley Field. The Pirates (83-55) own a three-game lead over the Cubs (80-58) and the teams meet six more times before the season is over.
When it comes down to a potential seventh meeting in the wild-card game, Arrieta needs to take the mound at Wrigley Field or PNC Park.
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