Jon Lester Making First Start of Spring Training As Red Sox Continue Mayor's Cup With Twins

Jon Lester was just about the brightest spot for the Red Sox last season. His 19-win campaign, which featured long stretches of dominance, was one of the primary reasons the club was able to stay afloat amid an injury onslaught the likes of which nobody could imagine.

Still, Lester sees plenty of room for improvement. He walked too many hitters last year and had another slow start. The 27-year-old left-hander begins his pursuit of a cleaner campaign when he makes his first start of the spring Tuesday against the Minnesota Twins at Hammond Stadium.

The contest marks the third straight between the two teams that call Fort Myers home. Minnesota took the opener at home Sunday night and then fell at Boston on Monday afternoon.

Following Lester on the mound will be Alfredo Aceves, Jonathan Papelbon, Randy Williams and Rich Hill.

The Twins will start Scott Baker. Closer Joe Nathan, who was removed from a Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox last year before undergoing Tommy John surgery, is also slated to get some action.

When and where

Red Sox vs.Twins
1:05 p.m.
Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers, Fla.

Pitching matchup

LHP Jon Lester (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. RHP Scott Baker (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Lester is 1-2 with a 4.67 ERA in six career games (five starts) against the Twins. Baker is 0-2 with a 4.35 mark vs. Boston. Those are regular season numbers only.

Lineups

Twins	Red Sox
TBA	Marco Scutaro, SS Jed Lowrie, 2B Mike Cameron, DH Kevin Youkilis, 3B Ryan Kalish, CF Darnell McDonald, LF Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C Josh Reddick, RF Drew Sutton, 1B