3 key questions for Chicago Cubs heading into Game 3 of the NLCS

LOS ANGELES - The Cubs find themselves down two games to none in the National League championships series after losing in dramatic fashion, 4-1 Sunday night.

The victory was a stunner for the Cubs, who played an overall good game.

Here are three key questions facing them as they get set to play Game 3 Tuesday night at Wrigley Field.

1. How important will a day off be for the Cubs?

It should be very important. Manager Joe Maddon will not have his team workout Monday at Wrigley Field. Instead, they'll take the day off and have just a limited media availability at the ballpark.

The Cubs look gassed - physically, mentally and emotionally. They had to go to the limit to beat the Washington Nationals in the NLDS. They "lost" Friday's off-day because of a medical issue on their charter flight to L.A. And they've lost two games to the Dodgers. A one-day regrouping can only help.

2. When will the Cubs start hitting?

The sooner the better. It's done them no good to get Dodgers starting pitchers out of the game, only to go hitless against the Dodgers bullpen. They struck out 12 times Sunday night. Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo both said it would be "selfish" to try to shoulder the load. And they're right. Javier Baez is 0-for-19 in the postseason. The rest of the lineup needs to get it going, as well, but that will be a tall order against Dodgers pitching.

3. How badly do the Cubs need a quality start?

Very badly, and perhaps Kyle Hendricks is the man to do that in Game 3. The Cubs have not had a quality start since Game 2 of the NLDS on Oct. 7, when Jon Lester went 6 innings. Hendricks pitched 7 scoreless innings in the NLDS opener. The Cubs were 57-20 in the regular season when they got a quality start. The bullpen could also use a much-needed break.