34 Jon Lester SP

Lester (8-2) allowed two runs on five hits in a win over the Cardinals on Friday, striking out three and walking one in six innings.

Lester's only runs allowed came from solo home runs off the bats of Marcell Ozuna and Matt Carpenter. He otherwise did not allow an extra-base hit and left the game with a commanding lead after throwing 102 pitches (64 for strikes). Lester has won his last four consecutive starts, and has brought his ERA down to 2.28 on the season. The southpaw has been very effective this year against both lefties and righties, holding lefties to a .203 batting average and righties to a .209 average. He'll look to continue his success in his next start at home against the Dodgers.

Lester (7-2) tossed seven scoreless innings to record the win Saturday against the Pirates. He gave up just one hit and two walks to go along with five strikeouts.

Lester was simply brilliant in this one, as he needed 104 pitches (65 for strikes) to mow down 21 Pittsburgh batters. He gave up a two-out triple in the third inning but wasn't really threatened otherwise. Lester now has consecutive outings in which he's logged seven scoreless innings, which has brought his season ERA down to a stellar 2.22. The ace lefty will look to keep it rolling in his next scheduled start Friday in St. Louis.

Lester (6-2) tossed seven scoreless innings to record the win Sunday against the Mets. He allowed just two hits and three walks while striking out seven.

After giving up four earned runs in his last start, Lester was much sharper in this one, though he started off ominously, walking the first two hitters of the game. The veteran quickly rebounded, striking out the next three batters to get through the inning unscathed, and he was hardly challenged for the rest of his outing. Lester will carry a pristine 2.44 ERA into his next start, which is scheduled for Saturday against the Pirates.

Lester (5-2) picked up the win Tuesday against the Pirates despite allowing four runs on eight hits over six innings. He struck out six.

Prior to Tuesday's four-run outing, Lester hadn't allowed more than two runs in a game since his April 25 start against the Indians. The Pirates got to him for three runs in the first two innings, but the Cubs were able to provide some late offense in the seventh inning to move their starter into the win column. Lester hasn't provided great strikeout numbers this season (60 Ks in 69 IP), but fantasy owners have to be pleased with his superb 2.71 ERA.

Lester (4-2) was a tough-luck loser Wednesday against the Indians, as he allowed just a single run over seven innings of work. He gave up six hits and a walk while striking out four.

Lester was good in this one, but he surprisingly got outdueled by Adam Plutko in a 1-0 defeat as the Cubs mustered just three hits as a team. Despite the loss, the 34-year-old lefty will carry a very strong 2.37 ERA into his next start, which is scheduled for Tuesday in Pittsburgh.