With a number of early-season off-days, a rainout, match-up considerations, and an injury, the Cubs’ rotation has shifted around quite a bit here in the first month and a half of the season.
The Cubs are shifting things around again in advance of the Giants series, flip-flopping Jon Lester and Kyle Hendricks in the rotation. That will give Hendricks an extra day, and will have Lester going on normal rest, now starting tomorrow.
The flip will also ensure that Lester gets to start in the following series against the Dodgers, who’ve had tremendous trouble against not only him the last couple years, but all lefties. The Dodgers have posted a 118 wRC+ against righties this year, but just 96 against lefties. Finagling the Cubs’ one lefty into that series, then, is a very good idea.
Also, the Cubs have announced Eddie Butler as Thursday’s starter, which means, as expected, he’s staying in the rotation for now, despite Friday’s challenging outing.
John Lackey starts tonight against the Giants, then Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, and Eddie Butler finish out the series.