Statcast Play of the Day: Jon Lester Launches Home Run Against Pirates

It was a warm day at beautiful Wrigley Field when Jon Lester stepped up to bat with a 7-0 lead in the bottom of the 3rd inning. The legendary Cubs lefty had battled Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Chris Stratton to a full count. Stratton threw a 93 mph fastball just above the strike zone trying for the whiff, but Lester barreled the pitch and sent it just into the left field bleachers.

Lester’s beautiful swing sent the pitch flying out at a 39-degree angle with 99 mph of exit velocity.

This homer secured Lester’s third straight season with at least one longball. Sure, Lester owns a career -19 wRC+, but with swings like the one above, it’s hard not to imagine BDJ competing for a Silver Slugger in 2020.