Lester outdueled Mike Mussina only to watch his bullpen (Hideki Okajima, Justin Masterson) squander a 2-1 lead. The strong outing came on the heels of a seven-run implosion against Toronto -- clearly an exception to the rule for the otherwise consistent left-hander. Improved command has helped Lester greatly since the All-Star break (42/9 K/BB ratio), making him a good bet to grab win No. 13 next time out against the uninspiring Orioles.

Lester outdueled Mike Mussina only to watch his bullpen squander a 2-1 lead. The strong outing came on the heels of a seven-run implosion against Toronto -- clearly an exception to the rule for the otherwise consistent left-hander. Improved command has helped Lester greatly since the All-Star break (42/9 K/BB ratio), making him a good bet to grab win No. 13 next time out against the uninspiring Orioles.

Mike Fitzpatrick, of The Associated Press, reports Boston Red Sox SP Jon Lester struck out eight batters and walked one Thursday, Aug. 28, while receiving a no-decision.

News: Jon Lester shut down New York for the third time this season Thursday in the final regular season game between the Yankees and Red Sox from Yankee Stadium. He struck out eight and walked none, but did not factor in the final decision. Lester was working on a four-hit shutout when Cody Ransom doubled with two outs in the seventh, chasing the lefty after 119 pitches. Jason Giambi then hit a pinch-hit home run off Hideki Okajima.

Analysis: The home run cost Lester a decision, but he pitched well once again to bounce back from a shaky outing his last time out. Lester had lasted just 2 1/3 innings against Toronto on Aug. 23, but has pitched at least seven innings in nine of his last 10 outings. His next start comes Sept. 2 against Baltimore and he remains a must-start in all leagues

Jon Lester came into today's match-up against the Yankees with a record of 2-0 and an ERA of 1.13 and today wasn't much different. In Lester's 6.2 innings he only gave up one run while striking out eight.Lester has been a viable starter for the Red Sox this year and definitely warrants being on your Fantasy Roster.

Jon Lester bounced back from a rough outing versus the Blue Jays to hold the Yankees to one run in 6 2/3 innings on Thursday. Lester was taken out with a shutout intact, but Hideki Okajima immediately allowed a game-tying two-run homer, spoiling Lester's chances of picking up his 13th win. Lester fanned eight and walked none in the game. He has a 1.19 ERA and a 24/3 K/BB ratio in three stars versus the Yankees this season.

Today the Red Sox will try and sweep a three game series with the Yankees and most likely sweep them right out the playoff picture. Jon Lester will go for the Sox today and he has absolutely owned the Yankees this year. Lester is 2-0 against the Yanks with an ERA of 1.13.Lester is looking to rebound from a couple of rough outings but the Yankees might be exactly what the doctor ordered.

RedSox.MLB.com's Samantha Newman reports Boston Red Sox SP Jon Lester is 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 16 innings against the New York Yankees this season.

MLB.com reports Boston Red Sox SP Jon Lester (12-5, 3.49 ERA) will start Thursday, Aug. 28, against the New York Yankees.

MLB.com reports Boston Red Sox SP Jon Lester (12-5, 3.49 ERA) will start Thursday, Aug. 27, against the New York Yankees.

The Associated Press reports Boston Red Sox SP Jon Lester allowed seven runs on eight hits in 2 1/3 innings Saturday, Aug. 23, to suffer his fifth loss of the season. He struck out two batters and walked two batters in the game. It was the shortest start of his career.

News: Jon Lester (12-5) was knocked out after 2 1/3 innings Saturday at Toronto -- the shortest start of his career. The lefty matched a career high by allowing seven earned runs. He gave up eight hits, walked two and struck out two.

Analysis: Lester had won nine of his past 10 decisions and lasted at least seven innings in eight consecutive starts, so Fantasy owners should just chalk this up to it being a rough start. Expect him to be on his "A" game for his next start at the Yankees in what is perhaps the final meeting between the Yankees and Red Sox at Yankee Stadium Thursday afternoon

Jon Lester was rocked for seven earned runs on eight hits over a mere 2.1 innings of work in Saturday's 11-0 loss to the Jays, with two walks and two strikeouts.Lester falls to 12-5 and his ERA jumps to 3.49. His two-game winning streak was snapped, and this was only the second time over his last seven starts that he surrendered four or more earned runs. Lester should bounce back fine and should continue to be trusted in fantasy lineups.

Jon Lester was rocked for seven earned runs on eight hits over a mere 2.1 innings of work in Saturday's 11-0 loss to the Red Sox, with two walks and two strikeouts.Lester falls to 12-5 and his ERA jumps to 3.49. His two-game winning streak was snapped, and this was only the second time over his last seven starts that he surrendered four or more earned runs. Lester should bounce back fine and should continue to be trusted in fantasy lineups.

A brutal outing from Lester, who entered the contest having permitted just four earned runs over his previous 14 frames of work. The emerging lefty will hope to bounce back when he takes his 3.49 ERA to Fenway Park for a tough date with the White Sox next.

Jon Lester got rocked by the Blue Jays Saturday for seven earned runs over just 2 1/3 innings. Lester looked awful from the get-go. He served up a two-run homer in the first inning then immediately hit a batter. In the third, he wasn't much better, and things came crashing down during a four-run third. His ERA rose to 3.49 and his record fell to 12-5. He'll try to get back on track against the White Sox next time out.

Jon Lester got rocked by the Blue Jays Saturday for seven earned runs over just 2 1/3 innings. Lester looked off from the get-go. He served up a two-run homer in the first inning then immediately hit a batter. In the third, he wasn't much better, and things came crashing down during a four-run third. His ERA rose to 3.49 and his record fell to 12-5. He'll face the White Sox next.

Boston Red Sox SP Jon Lester (12-4, 3.17 ERA) will start Saturday, Aug. 23, against the Toronto Blue Jays, according to The Associated Press.

News: Josh Beckett's next start has been pushed back a few days while the Red Sox try to determine the cause of lingering numbness in the his right hand. "We've got to figure out what ... it is," Beckett said Tuesday. "Obviously, (being pushed back) is not what I want, but at this juncture it needs to happen." Beckett was scheduled to pitch Saturday against Toronto. Instead, he's tentatively set to start Tuesday night when the Red Sox play New York at Yankee Stadium. Left-hander Jon Lester will take Beckett's start Saturday and Daisuke Matsuzaka will move up to start Sunday.

Analysis: Lester remains a two-start pitcher this week and a must-start in all leagues. It is likely he slots up in the rotation next Thursday at the Yankees, too, skipping struggling Clay Buchholz. The difficult matchup makes him only a slightly riskier start in Fantasy Week 22 (Aug. 25-31)

Jon Lester picked up his 12th win Monday, allowing just one run on four hits and a walk while striking out five over seven innings.Clay Buchholz received most of the ink before the season as far as young Red Sox rookies go, but Lester has been far and away the better hurler of the two this year.

David Ginsburg, of The Associated Press, reports Boston Red Sox SP Jon Lester gave up one run and four hits while walking one in seven innings Monday, Aug. 18, to improve to 5-0 in his career against the Baltimore Orioles. He is 9-1 since May 25.

Lester continues to have that ace look, as the 24-year-old southpaw is now 5-1 with a 2.53 ERA and 18/6 K/BB ratio over six second-half starts. He'll look to keep dealing when he squares off against the Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre next.

Jon Lester allowed just one run over seven innings Monday as the Red Sox beat the Orioles. Lester surrendered only four hits while striking out five and issuing a single walk. He has a 3.17 ERA on the season and a 12-4 record. Jonathan Papelbon did his part, pitching 1 1/3 innings to cap off the win and earn his 33rd save of the season. Lester will face the Blue Jays next time out.

Nick Zaccardi, of MLB.com, reports Baltimore Orioles 3B Melvin Mora is 3-for-14 in his career against Boston Red Sox SP Jon Lester.

Nick Zaccardi, of MLB.com, reports Baltimore Orioles 1B Kevin Millar is 1-for-10 in his career against Boston Red Sox SP Jon Lester.

Nick Zaccardi, of MLB.com, reports Baltimore Orioles OF Nick Markakis is 5-for-16 in his career against Boston Red Sox SP Jon Lester.

MLB.com reports Boston Red Sox SP Jon Lester (11-4, 3.25 ERA) will start Monday, Aug. 18, against the Baltimore Orioles.

A nice bounce-back performance from Lester, who was tagged for four runs over seven frames in a loss to the White Sox last time out. The 24-year-old southpaw will take his 3.25 ERA and gaudy record to Camden Yards for a date with the Orioles next.

Howard Ulman, of The Associated Press, reports Boston Red Sox SP Jon Lester gave up seven hits in 7 1/3 innings Wednesday, Aug. 13, to earn the victory. He went seven innings for his seventh straight outing.

Boston's Jon Lester is quickly becoming the gem of the franchise, tonight earning his 11th win in a dominating performance against the Texas Rangers. Lester pitched 7 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits with one walk and six strikeouts.Lester moves to 11-4 on the season with a 3.25 ERA. The loss in his last outing is the only blemish on his '08 resume since May 25th, boasting a record of 8-1 since.

T.R. Sullivan, of MLB.com, reports Boston Red Sox SP Jon Lester is 6-1 with a 2.87 ERA in 12 starts at home this season.

MLB.com reports Boston Red Sox SP Jon Lester (10-4, 3.23 ERA) will start Wednesday, Aug. 13, against the Texas Rangers.

News: Red Sox SP Jon Lester had a three-game winning streak snapped Friday at the White Sox. He allowed four runs on six hits in seven innings, walking three and striking out two. "I threw the ball a lot better than the linescore said," Lester said. "I just really got outpitched. There's nothing really more to say."

Analysis: Lester has worked at least seven innings in six straight starts, posting a 2.62 ERA over that stretch, and has emerged as a must-start Fantasy option this season. He doesn't have the best WHIP, but he should get plenty of wins pitching for the contending Red Sox. Think of him as no worse than a No. 2 or 3 option. He has a tough matchup in his next start, though, Wednesday against the Rangers

Andrew Seligman, of The Associated Press, reports Boston Red Sox SP Jon Lester lost for the first time in 2 1/2 month Friday, Aug. 8. He was previously 7-0 in his last 11 starts. Lester gave up four runs and six hits in seven innings.

Jon Lester lost for the first time since May 25 after giving up four runs in seven innings Friday against the White Sox. Lester had won seven straight. He finished with more walks (three) than strikeouts (two) for the first time since April 23. He did it three times in his first six starts, but never since.

Jon Lester lost his first game in almost two and a half months as he allowed four runs to the White Sox over seven innings on Friday.Lester is now 10-4 with a 3.23 ERA, so we can overlook this rather pedestrian outing. Lester has clearly established himself as one of the top lefties in the American League even as his strikeout rates continues along at a merely average level of six per nine innings.

Lester had some problems locating his pitches, throwing only 56 of 95 pitches for strikes. He did go at least seven innings for the sixth consecutive outing, and has only allowed more than four earned runs twice in 24 starts this year. Throw him with confidence when he starts next week vs. the Rangers at Fenway Park -- where he is 6-1 with a 2.87 ERA this year.

MLB.com reports Boston Red Sox SP Jon Lester (10-3, 3.14 ERA) will start Friday, Aug. 8, against the Chicago White Sox.

Gary Dzen, of The Boston Globe, reports Boston Red Sox SP Jon Lester has been named the American League Pitcher of the Month for the month of July, according to a press release from the team. Lester went 3-0 with a 2.05 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 30 2/3 innings. He gave up just seven earned runs and 30 hits while walking six.

Jon Lester has been named the AL Pitcher of the Month for July, according to the AP. Lester went 3-0 with a 2.05 ERA over four starts in the month.Lester hasn't lost a start since May 25, and is 10-3 with a 3.14 ERA and 1.31 WHIP for the season. Other nominees for the July honor were Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, and closer Francisco Rodriguez.

Boston Red Sox SP Jon Lester allowed two runs on seven hits over seven innings Saturday, Aug. 2, against the Oakland Athletics, according to The Associated Press. He walked one and struck out five, improving to 10-3 on the season.

News: Red Sox SP Jon Lester worked seven innings for the fifth straight start Saturday against the Athletics, winning for the third straight and the 10th time this season. He allowed two runs on seven hits and one walk, recording five strikeouts.

Analysis: Lester has a 2.15 ERA over that five-start stretch and has emerged as a must-start Fantasy option this season. He doesn't have the best WHIP, but he should get plenty of wins pitching for the contending Red Sox. Think of him as no worse than a No. 2 or 3 option. His next start is scheduled for Friday at the White Sox

Jon Lester only issued two earned runs on seven hits over seven innings in Saturday's 12-2 blowout win over Oakland at Fenway Park, with one walk and five strikeouts.Lester has won three straight decisions, and has 10 wins for the season. He hasn't been dealt a loss since May 25th, and should remain a strong fantasy starter down the stretch.

That's the third straight quality start for Lester, who's tossed at least seven frames in each of his last five outings. The stud southpaw is coming off a dazzling month in which he went 3-0 with a 2.05 ERA and a 28/6 K/BB ratio over 30 2/3 innings, and has ascended to virtual must-start status with Saturday's gem. His next scheduled start is Aug. 8 on the road against the White Sox.