Red Sox tab Jon Lester as opening day starter
Boston pitcher Jon Lester will start opening day for the Red Sox, April 5 in Detroit against Tigers ace Justin Verlander. Lester also started Boston's first game of the 2011 season in Texas.
He's 1st lefty to start back-to-back openers for Boston since Mel Parnell from 1952-54
Boston pitcher Jon Lester will start opening day for the Red Sox, April 5 in Detroit.
New Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine made the announcement Monday.
Lester, 28, also started Boston's first game of the 2011 season in Texas. He will be the first left-hander to start on Opening Day in back-to-back years for the Red Sox since Mel Parnell started three straight openers from 1952-54.
A two-time all-star who was selected by the Red Sox in the second round in 2002, Lester is 76-34 with a 3.53 earned-run average and 894 strikeouts in six seasons.
Lester will oppose Detroit's Justin Verlander.