Levine: John Lackey Strong In Final Spring Tune-Up

By Bruce Levine--

MESA, Ariz. (CBS) -- The final tune-up for veteran Cubs right-hander John Lackey before the start of the regular season was a good one. Pitching to minor league hitters on a back field Thursday, Lackey struck out 10 hitters in seven innings while throwing 101 pitches.

After finishing, Lackey took off to join his teammates in Las Vegas and prepare for the season opener that comes Monday. Lackey's scheduled to make his first start Thursday against the Diamondbacks, and he feels good heading into that outing.

"I felt really good out there today," Lackey said. "I kind of got better as I went along. The command got better, and I got through seven innings, which was good for me. It was a final good step, and I am ready to go."

Lackey appeared to have good life on his fastball, and he broke out the breaking stuff at the end of his outing ,striking out four of the last six hitters he faced.

"That is kind of the way I pitch," Lackey said of going to his slider and curveball later. "I always try to establish my fastball early on. That kind of makes the breaking ball better later on in my games. Today it worked out."

Getting acclimated in camp as a first-year Cub was made easier for Lackey because of his friendship with left-hander Jon Lester and catcher David Ross, former teammates of his in Boston.

"The whole spring was great," said Lackey, who signed a two-year, $32-million deal this offseason with Chicago. "This was a lot of fun but very professional at the same time. The coaching staff, led by (manager Joe Maddon) trusted me to be a pro, get myself ready. I feel like I am there. With Jon and Rossie here, they made it an easy transition to get to know the other guys and fit in."

Lackey was 13-10 with a 2.77 ERA for the Cardinals last season. He has a lifetime 3.92 ERA. He'll fill the No. 3 slot in the Cubs rotation.

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.