Chicago Cubs: Maddon tabs Lester as Game 1 starter; Game 2 TBD

In a not so stunning announcement, the Chicago Cubs’ Joe Maddon named Jon Lester his Game 1 starter for the NLCS. Kyle Hendricks is the favorite for Game 2, but that announcement will come a bit later.

After outdueling the Giants Johnny Cueto in Game 1 of the NLDS, the Chicago Cubs Jon Lester will assume the same responsibilities for the NLCS. Lester, possibly on the verge of his first Cy Young award, will open the series on Saturday night at Wrigley Field. His brilliant Game 1 performance in Chicago left no doubt he would start the opener of the LCS. The rest of the rotation is a bit of a question.

Kyle Hendricks–if all goes well–will start Game 2 of the series. After taking a ball off of the forearm, it appears Hendricks didn’t suffer much more than a bruise. But Joe Maddon won’t hesitate to throw Jake Arrieta in the second game if Hendricks needs and extra couple of days. Arrieta comes off a solid Game 3 in which he allowed just two runs over six innings. He also added a three-run home run.

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Outside of that “hiccup”, the rotation will follow suit assuming Maddon doesn’t make any drastic changes to the roster. One you may see will be the addition of a 12th pitcher.This due to three straight games with no off-day. With that move, the position player dropped could very well depend on the matchups. Tommy La Stella looks to be the “obvious” choice. I’ve heard the mention of Chris Coghlan but I don’t think that would be the case.

Coghlan over La Stella?

First, you have more “flex” with Coghlan. Not so much because of Coghlan, but because of Javier Baez. He was clutch in every aspect and really doesn’t leave La Stella with many places to play. And I don’t know if the hiatus La Stella took upon being sent down matters, but that seems to me it could leave him on the outside looking in. And Coghlan is a solid outfielder that could be used as a defensive sub as well. Yes, I’m still a little bitter at La Stella for that whole thing.

The Cubs reportedly sent a few pitchers to Arizona to be stretched out prior to making any decisions on the LCS roster. This according to Chris Bosio when he was on the Score 670 on Wednesday. Part of this could have been proactive in case Hendricks had any setbacks after leaving Game 2 of the LDS. But thus far, Maddon and Hendricks have set that everything is fine and there shouldn’t be any issues.

The Cubs could add a potential “long man” just in case another freak injury happens like that again. Jason Hammel, Trevor Cahill and Rob Zastryzny all were stretched out in Arizona. Hammel was stuck on the bubble with the four-man rotation. The likelihood of him seems minimal, but Maddon could surprise us all. My personal belief would be Cahill would join the roster if Maddon goes with 12 pitchers. His sinker could be a valuable weapon in coaxing a ground ball in a late-game situation.

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We should without a doubt gain some clarity after tonight’s deciding Game 5 between the Nationals and the Dodgers. At this point, I don’t have a “favorite”. Let’s just find out who it is and play some ball on Saturday.