NEWSLETTER
It’s gonna be an emotional night at Wrigley Field, with Jon Lester and Kyle Schwarber returning for the first time since they departed to the Nationals this offseason. The two, with the Cubs organization since various moments in 2014 – a big draft swing and a big free agent swing – were not only critical components of the World Series winning team, but really represented so much of what the entire era was about for these Cubs as they flipped the switch post-rebuild.
They are going to be get wonderful video treatments at Wrigley Field tonight, and an even warmer treatment from the fans. Big-time standing ovations.
But from their former teammates? Well, they’ll get warm receptions before and after the game, but during, I mean, you might see a smile or two … but these guys want to win. And maybe even more than that, they’re going to want to do very well, specifically, against their former mates. The Cubs’ bats are gonna want to rake off of Lester. Adbert Alzolay is gonna want to strike out Schwarber. Javy Báez might even be tempted to steal a base on Lester and then test Schwarber’s arm in left field just for good measure.
And who’s gonna bunt one toward Lester just to be a dick? Could it be the very same guy Lester is thinking most about facing? Because that would be hilarious and awesome. Lester admitted there was one looming at bat that he’s thinking about a little more than the rest:
Anthony Rizzo vs. Jon Lester 🍿 pic.twitter.com/nGds6d9scP
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) May 17, 2021
I tend to think Rizzo is going to face Lester straight up, and will want to do so – get those bragging rights – but whatever he does, I can’t wait to see that one, too. Maybe a little tip of the cap before digging in? And maybe Lester brushes Rizzo back a little bit as a friendly greeting?
Ah. It’s all so much fun to think about.
