Lester aims for No. 20 in splendid September

September, 29, 2010
9/29/10
9:28
PM ET
Sox left-hander Jon Lester is scheduled to go for his 20th win Thursday, and a victory would make him the fourth major-league pitcher this season to reach that benchmark.

Roy Halladay (21) of the Phillies, Adam Wainwright of the Cardinals (20) and CC Sabathia of the Yankees (21) have all won 20.

ESPN researcher Jeremy Lundblad notes that Lester could become the first pitcher to go 6-0 in September since Jose Contreras in 2005. The last Red Sox pitcher to do it was Bobby Ojeda in 1983. In his career, Lester is 16-2 in September/October regular-season games, with a 2.50 ERA.

Lester is 5-0 with a 2.12 ERA in five September starts. He has held opposing batters to a .174 average, has not allowed a home run in 137 plate appearances, and has struck out 44 batters in 34 innings.

Gordon Edes

Red Sox reporter, ESPNBoston.com

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