Lackey (2-0) struck out seven over 6.2 innings Wednesday against the Reds, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks in a 9-2 win.

EDGE Analysis

After struggling to the tune of six runs and winning anyway in his season debut last week in Arizona, Lackey settled things down against an easier opponent. Although last season's 2.77 ERA was almost certainly an outlier, Lackey does appear to be in for a solid season in his first campaign with the Cubs -- after all, they've got the offense to bail him out on his worse days.

Lackey (1-0) gave up six runs on eight hits over six innings in Arizona on Thursday, but got away with a win. He walked one and struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

Well, that's about as ugly a game as you'll see someone have with a 'W' next to it. Although Lackey's coming off least year's fabulous 2.77 ERA, he's not a good bet to repeat the feat -- the veteran righty's stats didn't match his peripherals, mostly because he benefited from a strand rate nearly 10 points higher than his career mark. Luck that good is hard to find two years in a row, so expect Lackey's ERA to settle back into its normal place in the mid-to-high threes this season.

Lackey gave up five runs and six hits in a five-inning start against the Giants on Saturday. He has a 6.92 ERA in three starts this spring.

EDGE Analysis

On the plus side, Lackey struck out six and walked none, and he has a 14:1 K:BB in 13 innings. He'll be the Cubs' No. 3 starter this year.

Lackey pitched three innings in his spring debut Friday, giving up five hits and three runs in a split-squad contest against Cincinnati.

EDGE Analysis

Lackey was scheduled to only pitch two innings, but a low pitch count gave him the opportunity to add another frame to his total. The new Cub struck out four and walked one in the 7-4 win over the Reds.

Lackey agreed to a two-year deal with the Cubs on Friday, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

The deal is reportedly worth somewhere between $32-$34 million for the two years for Lackey, who is coming off of one of the best seasons of his career with a 2.77 ERA and 7.2 K/9. The Cubs already have Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester occupying the top two spots of the rotation, but Lackey figures to fill in as a strong number three option.

Lackey turned down his qualifying offer from the Cardinals on Friday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lackey enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career in 2015, working to a 2.77 ERA with a 7.2 K/9. He'll be 37 years old by the start of the 2016 season, which could scare away some teams from giving him a multi-year deal, but the righty should still generate some interest on the open market. The Cardinals will now get a draft pick as compensation should Lackey sign elsewhere.

Lacky received a qualifying offer from the Cardinals Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Lackey was excellent for the Cardinals this season, posting a 2.77 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 218 innings, but considering the veteran hurler turned 37 years old last month, extending the $15.8 million qualifying offer wasn't a formality. Given the Cardinals depth in the starting rotation, the team might be happy to pick up a draft pick if Lackey declines the offer and signs with another team, but St. Louis figures to at least try to bring him back for another season.

Lackey held the Cubs to just two hits and a walk over 7.1 scoreless innings en route to the win in Game 1 of the NLDS on Friday. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

The 36-year-old took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, and ended up allowing only a pair of singles in the game, one a bunt single. Jon Lester was strong on the other side, but Lackey has had the Cubs' number all year. He allowed just three earned runs over 21.2 innings in three regular-season starts against Chicago (1.25 ERA).

Lackey will start Game 1 of the NLDS on Friday, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 36-year-old will be rewarded for his outstanding regular season (2.77 ERA, 1.21 WHIP) with the Game 1 nod against the winner of Wednesday's NL Wild Card game. Lackey was especially good down the stretch for St. Louis, posting a 2.29 ERA and 40:9 K:BB in his final six starts. Lance Lynn and Michael Wacha figure to follow in Games 2 and 3, respectively.

Lackey's start was postponed on Saturday due to rain.

EDGE Analysis

While nothing official has been announced yet, it's likely Lackey's start will be pushed back to Sunday with the Cardinals set to play a double header against the Braves.