Lester got a no-decision in Thursday's 8-4 win against Milwaukee, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks in 4.1 inning. He failed to record a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

Lester labored through 4.1 innings, throwing 89 total pitches, but was only bit in the fourth when he permitted five baserunners and all four runs. Fortunately for the 37-year-old, St. Louis rebounded with five runs in the fifth to regain the lead and eliminate Lester's potential loss. This was the veteran lefty's fourth start with the Cardinals, and he's allowed a disappointing 16 runs in 20.1 total innings with just eight strikeouts.

Lester (4-6) allowed one run on seven hits and two walks with two strikeouts through 5.2 innings, picking up his first win as a Cardinal in Saturday's 9-4 victory over the Royals.

EDGE Analysis

After giving up five earned runs to this same Royals team one turn ago, Lester finally looked at home Saturday in the Cardinals' powder blues. The southpaw did allow seven hits, however all seven went for singles. While the strikeouts have evaporated from his game, his veteran guile figures to make him a mainstay in the St. Louis rotation for the rest of the season.

Lester yielded five runs on six hits and two walks over 5.1 innings in Sunday's loss to the Royals. He struck out two and did not factor in the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Lester got off to a strong start, allowing just two baserunners through three scoreless innings. He was then hit with four runs over the next 2.1 frames before he was removed from the game and eventually charged with a fifth run. The 6-foot-4 lefty has given up 11 runs over 10.1 frames in two starts since St. Louis acquired him in July. Lester will take a 5.57 ERA into next weekend's projected start in Kansas City.

Lester (3-6) took the loss against Atlanta on Tuesday, allowing six runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out four over five innings.

EDGE Analysis

The southpaw got off to a disastrous start in his first game as a Cardinal, allowing a two-run home run to the second batter he faced and departing the first inning trailing by five runs. Lester was at least able to bounce back and give St. Louis five frames, but the early damage proved too much to overcome. Lester has now given up six or more earned runs three times this season, contributing to an inflated 5.38 ERA. Combined with mediocre strikeout numbers, that makes him essentially unrosterable in most fantasy leagues.

Lester was officially added to St. Louis' 26-man roster Sunday and will start Tuesday versus Atlanta.

EDGE Analysis

Lester last pitched for the Nationals on July 24, so he'll be well rested for his debut with the Cardinals. The veteran left-hander has a 5.02 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 51:29 K:BB across 75.1 innings (16 starts) this season, though he's surrendered only three earned runs in two starts since this All-Star break.

Lester was traded from the Nationals to the Cardinals in exchange for outfielder Lane Thomas on Friday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lester signed a one-year deal with the Nationals in January, but he'll return to the NL Central in a deal just before the trade deadline. The southpaw has been somewhat inconsistent in 2021, but he's recorded a 2.25 ERA and 0.83 WHIP in 12 innings across his two starts since the All-Star break.

Lester (3-5) took the loss Saturday, giving up three runs on three hits and a walk over five-plus innings as the Nationals were downed 5-3 by the Orioles. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

It wasn't a terrible outing by the veteran southpaw, but solo homers by Trey Mancini and Ryan Mountcastle put the Nats in an early hole, and the team's offense didn't wake up until the seventh inning. Lester stumbled into the All-Star break but has looked somewhat rejuvenated since, posting a 2.25 ERA and 9:1 K:BB over 12 innings in two starts to begin the second half.

Lester will start Saturday's game against the Orioles, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lester made his last start Monday, so he'll be pitching on normal rest while filling in for Max Scherzer, who was scratched from Saturday's start due to mild discomfort in his right tricep. Across his last three outings, the southpaw has posted a 3.46 ERA and 2.08 WHIP in 13 innings.

Lester (3-4) earned the win Monday against the Marlins after tossing seven shutout frames. He allowed six hits and no walks while striking out seven.

EDGE Analysis

It was the longest outing of the year for Lester, who completed seven innings for the first time while blanking his opponent for the second time. The southpaw exhibited strong command, collecting a season-high seven punchouts. To top it off, Lester swatted his fourth career home run with a 419-shot in the fifth inning, making the 37-year-old the oldest pitcher to homer in a game since Bartolo Colon in 2016 at the age of 42. It was a tough first half for Lester, who has compiled a 4.99 ERA and 1.65 WHIP overall. He's projected to make his next start on the road Sunday at Baltimore.

Lester (2-4) gave up eight runs (three earned) on nine hits and two walks over 2.2 innings in Saturday's loss to San Francisco. He had one strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

The Giants jumped on Lester for three runs in the first inning and tacked on five more in the third before he gave way to the bullpen. Lester's defense didn't do him any favors -- five of the eight runs were unearned due to a pair of errors behind him -- but he still allowed 11 baserunners besides the errors, and he needed 80 pitches to get just eight outs. It's been an ugly first half for the 37-year-old, who will go into the all-star break having allowed 27 runs (17 earned) in 13.1 innings over his last four starts. Lester owns a 5.54 ERA and 1.74 ERA in 14 starts overall this season, and opponents are hitting .313 against him.