Lester, Hendricks will start Games 1, 2 for Chicago Cubs
Wrigley Field has been very, very good to Chicago Cubs pitchers Jon Lester and Kyle Hendricks. Largely for that reason, manager Joe Maddon is giving the starting nods to Lester and Hendricks for the first two games of the National League division series at home Friday and Saturday.
Jake Arrieta, last year's Cy Young winner, will pitch Game 3 on the road. If a fourth game is necessary, right-hander John Lackey will start.
"A lot of it has been based on recent productivity, the fact that Jon's just nailed it, Kyle has nailed it," Maddon said Tuesday. "But they've also been very good at home, where Jake's always been good on the road. John Lackey doesn't care where he pitches.
"It kind of morphed into that the last couple of weeks talking about it. It's not easy pitching on the road, and Jake's done a nice job."
Here is how the numbers split:
• Lester was 10-2 at home this season with a 1.74 ERA. He was 9-3 with a 3.17 ERA away from Wrigley Field.
• Hendricks was 9-2 with a 1.32 ERA at Wrigley Field compared with 7-6 with a 2.95 ERA on the road.
Lester, who signed with the Cubs before last season, had a dominant 2016. He earned pitcher-of-the-month honors for September and will be among those in the running for this year's Cy Young, along with Hendricks. Lester also has plenty of playoff and World Series experience.
"I think everyone in that clubhouse is very comfortable with all our starters," said team president Theo Epstein. "But Jon Lester this time of year is feeling good about himself. He always embraces the moment. He really does rise to the occasion. Everything locks in. He tends to execute a really high level."
Getting them work:
The Cubs played a simulated game Tuesday. Jake Arrieta and John Lackey started for each "side." Jason Hammel, who has been bothered by elbow tightness, also pitched, as did almost all of the bullpen.
Hammel is not part of the rotation for the NLDS, and he may not make the roster at all, even though Joe Maddon says no final decisions have been made.
"We've just go to make sure that he's well," Maddon said. "The guys who have not been well, you want to make sure that they are well because if you put them on the sheet and they're part of the group and you've got to take them off, then they're not available for the next round."
Soler power:
Outfielder Jorge Soler, who has been bothered by a side injury, took part in the simulated game. If Soler checks out OK in the next two days of workouts, he could become an important right-handed bat in the playoffs.