Cubs' starting rotation depth should be big factor in Game 3

The Cleveland Indians are surprisingly good, there's little doubt about that.

Under the steady hand of manager Terry Francona, the Indians overmatched the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays in the American League division and championship series, going 7-1 to reach the World Series.

And while they are tied 1-1 with the Chicago Cubs heading into Game 3 Friday night at Wrigley Field, the Indians' lack of depth in the starting rotation is already showing.

Corey Kluber is a legitimate ace for Cleveland, as he showed in a Game 1 6-0 win over the Cubs.

After that, the Indians have to go with Trevor Bauer and Josh Tomlin because Carlos Carrasco is out with a broken hand and Danny Salazar is still not ready to start after missing the final month of the regular season with a forearm strain.

Bauer didn't give Cleveland much of a chance in Game 2, lasting just 3⅔ innings in a 5-1 loss.

Before Kluber starts Game 4 for the Indians on short rest, Josh Tomlin takes the mound in Game 3. Bauer is tentatively scheduled to start Game 5 on short rest, and Tomlin would be hurried back for Game 6, if necessary.

"At this point in the season, I don't think fatigue, I think adrenaline takes over when you get into the game," Tomlin said. "You might not feel as good going out there and warming up. But once you get between the lines and you know the job you have to try to accomplish and try to help this team win, I think that adrenaline kind of takes over and it's just another game."

"After this series, this is it, so we have a lot of time to rest after that. I think if you were to ask any of us right now, we'd pitch every single day if we had to. It's just one of those things where you're trying to do everything you can to help this team win."

During the regular season, Tomlin was 13-9 with a 4.40 ERA and the right-hander allowed 36 home runs, the third highest total in baseball behind the White Sox's James Shields (40) and the Angels' Jered Weaver (37).

While Tomlin has been pushed up in the Indians' banged-up rotation, the Cubs have the luxury of sending Kyle Hendricks out for Game 3.

Expected to strongly contend for the National League Cy Young Award after going 16-8 with baseball's lowest ERA (2.13) for a starter, Hendricks is 1-1 with a sparkling 1.65 ERA in three playoff starts.

Hendricks has been machine-like on the mound from the beginning of his breakout season.

"You get the anxiety and nervousness before you get out there," he said. "Once you're on the field and on the mound, it kind of goes away and you're in your element. So I guess going through the experiences of just starting game after game after game, learning how to deal with those feelings, after a time you just learn how to kind of let it push to the side and know when you get out on the field, everything's going to be how it is."

• Follow Scot's baseball reports on Twitter @sgregor.