Maddon announces pitching rotation for NLCS |
Cubs skipper Joe Maddon talked to the media on Friday afternoon and said that Cubs veteran Jon Lester will start game one of the National League Championship series on Saturday night.
Lester has an impressive career 2.63 ERA with seven wins in the postseason. "This is what you play for," Lester said to reporters. "It's October." Maddon said that game two will be Kyle Hendricks followed by Jake Arrieta in game three, and John Lackey in game four. Maddon was asked about Clayton Kershaw's possible availability for the series and Maddon laughed. "Here's what I've got," Maddon said to reporters. "Tomorrow's Saturday.....With all due respect to every wonderful pitcher in the game of baseball, I'm only worried about tomorrow." Hendricks has had two bullpen sessions since he was hit on the elbow against the Giants in game two of the NLDS. By all accounts, he had been throwing the ball well and told reporters on Thursday that he was good to go. Good news for the Cubs as their trio of Lester, Hendricks, and Arrieta pitched 30 innings against the Dodgers and only gave up 12 hits and three earned runs in 2016.
