Cubs’ starting staff at the top of baseball

12:37 AM ET

CINCINNATI — Chicago Cubs left-hander Jon Lester admitted it was on his mind. What if he could throw a second consecutive no-hitter for the Cubs? It seemed crazy, but so did a 13-4 start for the team known as “lovable losers.”

The Cubs keep proving they’re anything but losers as they beat the Reds for the fifth time this season Friday night, 8-1, behind Lester’s seven strong innings.

“We’re all human,” Lester said after the game. “We all think about it. The possibilities of ‘what if?’ Joey Votto erased that pretty quickly.”

In the first inning, Votto half-swung and sent a ball near the third-base line for a hit. The no-hitter was over early, but Lester’s night was just beginning. He threw 100 pitches over seven innings, giving up just five hits, a home run ball and one walk. He struck out four.

“That was the best fastball he’s had all year,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said.

Jon Lester hasn’t always been great in April, but he has a 1.98 ERA so far this season. David Kohl/USA TODAY Sports

Lester may not be Arrieta-good right now, but he is off to a fast start, sporting a 1.98 ERA as the first month nears an end. In fact, other than Arrieta, the entire Cubs starting staff is kind of flying under the radar, especially when you consider the offensive numbers being …

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