For all their struggles this year (and most years in very recent memory), the Reds do have quite a few offensive weapons. By wRC+, the Reds have the fifth best offense in the National League.
That’s what makes Jon Lester’s latest outing – 7.0 scoreless, allowing just two hits and two walks, while striking out nine, including 12 whiffs – all the more impressive. He owned the Reds:
Lester throws seven scoreless, Contreras hits the game-winning RBI in win vs. #Reds.
Recap: https://t.co/UZKDnLnMLG #EverybodyIn pic.twitter.com/ivZEpoxw4c
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 15, 2018
Over his past month (six starts), Lester has a 1.73 ERA and a 2.13 FIP. He’s had a stellar 26.1% K rate and 5.6% BB rate, and he came up just one out short in a couple of the outings of having a quality start in every single one of those starts.
It sure is the right time of year for Jon Lester to start firing on all cylinders, eh?