Emma: Cubs' Jon Lester Is Finding His Form

By Chris Emma-

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Walking off the mound after pitch No. 110 on Monday night, Jon Lester was greeted by handshakes and high-fives in the Cubs' dugout, then vanished to the clubhouse to think of the two pitches he wanted back.

They were two fastballs low and in, one to Lucas Duda, another to Wilmer Flores, both deposited for Mets home runs in consecutive sixth-inning at-bats. When Lester emerged in the dugout later in the game, his personal catcher and close friend, David Ross, offered regrets for not calling cutters.

Lester knew every detail about the two pitches, discussing with Ross in elaborate detail. This was because he went immediately to watch the film and learn from those mistakes.

"I'm a perfectionist," Lester later said after the Cubs' 4-3 victory over the Mets, his third straight win. "I want to be perfect all the time."

Laughing later at this moment that illustrates Lester's dedication to his craft, Ross uttered the same term.

"He's a perfectionist," Ross said. "He always feels he can get better, and that's why he is who he is."

A winless April is behind Lester, and he has three straight victories to his name in May. Overall, he is 3-2 with a 4.10 ERA, with a 1.80 mark this month.

The Cubs' $155 million prize arm of the rotation, their ace who is the franchise's most important on-field investment, Lester is beginning to find his form.

A short-lived honeymoon on the North Side ended in spring training when Lester had a bout with arm fatigue, then showed rust in the form of nine earned runs in his first two starts. But that breaking ball has better movement now, and his trademark cutter is becoming a lethal weapon.

"I see him getting better every time out," manager Joe Maddon said.

Making a Titanic load of money and entrusted to be the lead arm of a franchise revival, Lester struggles telling himself that perfection isn't in the realm. It's why he rushes in to review two fastballs low and in and what went wrong.

"He's going to put as much pressure on himself as anybody, because he wants to do well for the team," Ross said. "He says that's his day. When he walks in here that day, he has his game face on and is going to give it all he has."

Added Lester: "My expectations are more than anybody can put on me. The biggest thing is we won."

The next time Lester entered the clubhouse Monday, the music was pumping and disco ball was spinning. The Cubs had won, and it was time for the celebration this team enjoys after each victory -- a dance party.

Cubs teammates loosened up their intense ace with a shower of frosty beverages after his first win on May 1 against Milwaukee. After leaving the disco ball and entering the media room, Lester had his game face on again.

"I stink," Lester said when asked about his overall start to the season.

In reality, Lester is only getting better, leading the Cubs like they need.

Follow Chris on Twitter @CEmma670.