Cubs tab Lester for 3rd Opening Day start in 4 years

In arguably the deepest rotation in the National League, Jon Lester has been tabbed as the titular ace and will make his third Opening Day start in four seasons as a member of the Chicago Cubs.

For Lester, 2018 will mark the seventh Opening Day start of his career, having made four from 2011-14 with the Boston Red Sox. After starting the 2015 season as the Cubs' No. 1 starter, Jake Arrieta took the Opening Day gig in 2016 after a Cy Young campaign. With Arrieta being a free agent, Lester is slated to make his second consecutive Opening Day start.

The 34-year-old left-hander leads a Cubs rotation that includes Jose Quintana and Kyle Hendricks, as well as new recruits Yu Darvish and Tyler Chatwood.

In 32 starts last year, Lester posted a 4.33 ERA and 4.10 FIP over 180 2/3 innings. It marked the first season the veteran pitcher hadn't thrown at least 190 innings since 2007.