Cubs announce pitching rotation vs. Nationals |
Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon announced on Wednesday the team's pitching rotation for the NLDS against the Washington Nationals starting on Friday night. The much debated NLDS rotation will be
Kyle Hendricks starting in game one followed by
Jon Lester, then Jose Quintana, and finally
Jake Arrieta in game four.
Remember Hendricks pitched in game seven of the 2016 World Series and should ready to go in the playoffs. The pitching rotation will allow Hendricks or Lester to pitch game five if necessary. Maddon told reporters that Hendricks is pitching well when it matters the most. "He's just grown, and now I think he's at the top of his game," Maddon said. Hendricks has posted a 2.19 ERA with 1.18 WHIP in his last 13 starts. Maddon then called Hendricks a "technician" on the mound. "He does it with a different method. He's a technician," Maddon said. "I think he's pitching better right now than at any time last year." Maddon said if Lester had not gotten hurt, he would have more than likely got the start in game one. "If Jon (Lester) had not been injured more recently we probably would have gone a different way," Maddon said. No other roster moves have been announced because the teams don't have to finalize anything until Friday morning. Say hello to your NLDS G1 starter pic.twitter.com/p2aZKU6gKW
