Lackey, Lester set for reunion

ST. LOUIS — John Lackey is the best bargain in baseball, and he gives the Cardinals a pitching backbone.

Lackey, who is making just $507,500 this season, will go against old friend Jon Lester on Friday at Busch Stadium in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Cubs. He’s been around the block on rivalries, so he is the perfect candidate to start for the Cardinals.

“It’s obviously special,’’ Lackey said of this rivalry. “I mean, you can tell the importance of it and the way people feel about throughout the Midwest for sure. I’ve done the YankeesRed Sox thing. I’ve done the DodgersAngels thing out there. I’ve seen a couple of big ones. So I think I’ll be OK.’’

Lackey is going in with eyes wide open.

“Going to be a challenge,’’ he said. “Great team. Really good lineup. Obviously pretty familiar with each other, you know being in the same division. So yeah, it’s going to be a tough one.’’

Lackey will match up against Lester, two former Red Sox who have found new life with new teams in a different league.

“That’s my boy, yeah,’’ Lackey said, “he’s good. No accident people running into each other this time of year.’’

Asked about his friendship with Lester, Lackey said they have similar likes.

“Country stuff,’’ he said. “Country music, hunting, trucks, you know, stuff like that.’’

Noted Lester: “This is awesome It’s not too often you get to be in a situation like this to go against one of your better friends. He’s such a good competitor.’’

Lester pointed to the essence of Lackey’s success — a good lesson for all young pitchers as Lackey has emerged as the leader of this staff because of Adam Wainwright’s woes.

“He’s going to almost outwill you at times,’’ Lester said of Lackey. “If that makes sense. I learned a lot from him in Boston. Our friendship will go beyond this game, goes beyond our careers. Come [Friday], we’re not buddies anymore.’’

Ailing Molina on roster

AllStar catcher Yadier Molina is on the Cardinals roster for the NL division series against the Cubs and will play wearing a splint to protect a strained ligament in his left thumb.

Molina was injured on a tag play in Chicago on Sept. 20.