Old and new for Sox pitchers

Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester is 27 years old.

Former Red Sox pitcher John Smoltz pitched in the majors for 22 years.

And they’re both experiencing firsts this week.

Lester, Boston’s rising lefty ace, has been named the team’s opening day starter. It’s a heck of a reward for last year’s 19-9 season.

Smoltz, meanwhile, is going to play in the Nationwide Tour’s South Georgia Classic on a sponsor’s exemption.