John Lackey to start for Cardinals in Game 1 of NLDS
Veteran John Lackey will take the mound for the Cardinals in Game 1 on the NLDS against the winner of the NL wild-card game, the team announced.
Lackey, 36, led the Cardinals in innings pitched this season and recorded a 2.77 ERA and 175 strikeouts in 33 starts. With Carlos Martinez shut down with a shoulder strain and Lance Lynn struggling over the past month, St. Louis manager Mike Matheny tabbed the right-hander over lefty Jaime Garcia.
Though Lackey (13–10) struggled a bit in his most recent start, he strung together seven straight quality starts before that. In 18 career playoff starts, he holds a 7–5 record and 3.08 ERA. He made multiple starts in two World Series runs, with the Angels in 2003 and Red Sox in 2013.
The division series begins Friday evening, with the Cardinals slated to face whichever NL Central rival wins Wednesday night's wild-card game between the Cubs and Pirates.
• CORCORAN: Previewing the Cubs-Pirates wild card pitcher's duel
- Jeremy Woo
