Master of routine, Lester ready for Game 1

CHICAGO — The key to Jon Lester’s success? It may be his routine.

“It’s interesting to see veterans, guys who’ve been around for 10-plus years, how they do things very similar and extremely different,” Jake Arrieta said of Lester, who will start Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Friday (FS1, 9 p.m. ET/8 CT) against the Giants.

“Watching his bullpen routine and his flat-ground routine, he’s got it broken down into a science how he structures his day, what he likes to do two hours before his start and three hours before a start,” Arrieta said. “We notice those things and that’s obviously why he’s had so much success and why he’s done it for such a long time.”

Game Date Time Matchup TV Gm 1 Oct. 7 9 p.m SF @ CHC FS1 Gm 2 Oct. 8 8 p.m. SF @ CHC MLBN Gm 3 Oct. 10 TBD CHC @ SF FS1 / MLBN *Gm 4 Oct. 11 TBD CHC @ SF FS1 *Gm 5 Oct. 13 TBD SF @ CHC FS1 *- If necessary | All times listed ETShop for postseason gear: Cubs | Giants • Complete Postseason coverage

Lester, 32, who matched his career high in wins this season with 19, got the Game 1 assignment because he deserved it, manager Joe Maddon said. The lefty finished with a 2.44 ERA, second in the Major Leagues to his …

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