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Jon Lester: Trading Deadline Anxiety Can Be Real

By Bruce Levine--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- After dominating the Rockies and winning his sixth game of the season Wednesday afternoon, Cubs left-hander Jon Lester reflected on the anxiety and excitement that baseball players deal with this time of year. The trading non-waiver deadline arrives at 3 p.m. Central on Friday, and that means rumors are swirling.

In 2014, Lester was a bundle of nerves leading up to his trade from the Red Sox to the Athletics on July 31.

"It's a crazy time," Lester said. "It wasn't just the trade deadline for me personally, but that it was my son's birthday on the deadline. Last year made for an interesting birthday."

In the thick of a wild-card race, the Cubs are looking to add a few pieces in order to sneak into the championship derby. Lester threw his best game as a Cub on Wednesday, striking out 14 Rockies in pitching eight strong innings in a 3-2 win.

The reality of the trade deadline brings out different feelings in different people. Different emotions enter play as they wait to see who comes and who goes by Friday.

"It is an exciting time for some guys," Lester said. "I know Troy Tulowitzki was blindsided by the trade the other day, but he was traded from a last-place team to a team that is in it. Jonathan Papelbon was traded from a last-place team to the Nationals. You get that boost, saying, 'Hey, we are in it now.' I said to myself (in 2014), 'I better step my game up so I am not the link that brings this whole thing down.'"

Lester is hoping reinforcements arrive for this upstart Cubs team.

"We all understand the position we are in," Lester said. "We can't just do a fire sale any time if it's a big move or small move. (It helps) to get somebody to give you that little boost. I try not to worry about what those guys' jobs are (in the front office). Would it be nice? Yeah. If it doesn't happen, I think we all understand. We have the pieces. We just need to consistently play well in all aspects of the game."

Lester is the first Cubs left-handed pitcher to strike out at least 14 or more hitters in a game since 1914, according to the team's records.

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

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