MLB Playoffs 2016: Chicago Cubs announce NLDS rotation
Jon Lester will get the ball in Game 1
By
Mike Axisa
•
1 min read
At 103-58, the Chicago Cubs had the best record in baseball this season by a pretty huge margin. The Rangers, who had the second best record, went a mere 95-67 by comparison.
The Cubs held a workout at Wrigley Field on Tuesday in an effort to stay sharp before they begin the National League Division Series on Friday night. At the workout, manager Joe Maddon announced his NLDS rotation:
Lester, Hendricks, Arrieta, Lackey in that order . #Cubs
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) October 4, 2016
The four names are no surprise. We were all just waiting for Maddon to announce the order. So, just to recap, this is how the Cubs are lining up their NLDS rotation:
- Game 1: Two-time World Series champ and 2016 NL Cy Young candidate (Jon Lester).
- Game 2: The 2016 ERA king (2.13) and another NL Cy Young candidate (Kyle Hendricks).
- Game 3: The 2015 NL Cy Young award winner (Jake Arrieta).
- Game 4*: A guy who won the 2002 and 2013 World Series clinching games (John Lackey).
- Game 5*: Presumably Lester again with Hendricks (and Arrieta?) available in relief.
* if necessary
That is pretty, pretty good. Maddon could have picked his rotation out of a hat, and as long as it included those four names, he would have been in great shape. Can't argue with that rotation at all.
Of course, the Cubs are still waiting to see who they will play in the NLDS. They'll play the winner of Wednesday night's NL Wild Card Game between the Giants and Mets at Citi Field.
