Maddon: Dodger Stadium won't intimidate Lester

With Game 5 of the National League Championship Series set to take place at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Thursday, the Chicago Cubs will be in unfriendly territory as they look to try and take a 3-2 advantage in the series against the Dodgers.

With a sell-out crowd heavily favoring the Dodgers in Chavez Ravine, Cubs starter Jon Lester won't receive much support during the critical contest. But it shouldn't bother the seasoned veteran one bit, according to manager Joe Maddon.

"Now moving forward, man, it's good to have him on your side. When he takes the mound (on Thursday), you feel really good about it, because you know he's in a moment. He's not intimidated by the surroundings," Maddon told MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch.

The 32-year-old Lester will make the 17th postseason start of his career opposite the Dodgers' Kenta Maeda on Thursday. Throughout his playoff career the southpaw has been marvelous, posting a 2.57 ERA across 112 innings.

During the 2016 postseason, he's continued his dominant form, allowing one earned run across two starts in a combined 14 innings, so Maddon feels more than comfortable giving him the nod for such an important contest knowing he's handled the pressure more than once in the past.

"It's comforting to know that he's ready to pitch (on Thursday)," Maddon said. "Been there done that, too. He's done that in Boston. He's doing it here again."

On top of his postseason success, the four-time All-Star is also in contention for the first Cy Young award of his career after posting a 19-5 record with a 2.44 ERA and 1.02 WHIP during the regular season.