The Chicago Cubs have set their rotation for their National League Division Series, with manager Joe Maddon opting for Jon Lester in Friday's opener at Wrigley Field, right-hander Kyle Hendricks for Game 2, and reigning NL Cy Young award winner Jake Arrieta for Game 3.
Should the best-of-five series against either the New York Mets or San Francisco Giants require a fourth game, veteran right-hander John Lackey will get the ball, Maddon told reporters.
Lester was the clear pick going into the postseason, owning a 19-5 record and a 2.44 ERA over 32 starts. He's also a playoff veteran, going to six postseasons over his career and winning two World Series rings. Over 16 postseason appearances, Lester is 6-6 with a 2.85 ERA.
For Hendricks, this will be his second postseason. Last year, he started two games, and they weren't too pretty. Over 8 2/3 innings, he gave up five runs on four homers, though he struck out 11.
Arrieta will also play in his second postseason after the Cubs made it to the playoffs in 2015. Last year he made three starts, going 2-1 with a 3.66 ERA over 19 2/3 innings.
The only pitcher with as many postseason appearances as Lester is Lackey, who's been to the playoffs eight times and has two World Series rings, from 2002 and 2013. The veteran right-hander has compiled a 3.11 ERA over 23 appearances (20 starts).
