Did Chicago Cubs clear biggest hurdle of playoffs in Game 1?

The first hurdle might have been the highest.

We'll see how the Chicago Cubs fare against Giants ace Madison Bumgarner in Game 3 of the National League division series, but facing Johnny Cueto in Game 1 Friday night at Wrigley Field was an immense challenge.

Thanks to Javy Baez, who dropped a 3-2 pitch from Cueto into the left-field basket with one out in the eighth inning, the Cubs cleared the hurdle and emerged with a 1-0 win.

Before Baez connected on what he thought was a sure home run - the wind at Wrigley had other ideas - Cueto and Cubs left-hander Jon Lester were locked up in a classic pitcher's duel.

"Both sides played an equal kind of game," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "Lester was outstanding. Cueto was outstanding. Give both teams credit. That was a classic ballgame."

For as good as Lester was throughout the game - he allowed 5 hits over 8 innings and gave way to Aroldis Chapman in the ninth inning - Cueto was a touch better before Baez stepped up and became the hero.

Cueto allowed only a pair of hits through the first 7 inning and finished the game with 10 strikeouts.

Lester showed why he got the ball in Game 1 for the Cubs.

"For the entire game, he was throwing the ball really well," Maddon said. "His ERA is as good as it is because he really does well with people on base. I thought he looked very comfortable out there."

Said Lester: "That was a fun game. Great baseball game. Cueto threw the heck out of the ball tonight and I kind of figured as it got going that it would come down to one mistake."

Cueto looked dominant until he made a mistake pitch to Baez.

"Against Cueto, it's hard to get your timing down," Baez said. "I was just trying to get on base. I've got a little power, but it's about playing as a team and doing the little things we need to do, mostly trying to win 10 more games. It was a big hit for us."

The Cubs have to worry about Bumgarner in Game 3 in San Francisco, but they knew Cueto was going to show up and battle against Lester.

"Look at Cueto's numbers, it's outstanding what he's done," Maddon said. "We have seen him a lot in the past and a lot of our guys have in this division, more than I have in the past, but he's really good.

"And he's got such a variety of things that he does and it's kind of probably the latter day Luis Tiant. I mean, what he's able to do, body control and different kind of pitches and command them all."

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