Cubs To Start Jon Lester In Game 1 Of NLCS, While Signs Point To Kyle Hendricks In Game 2

(CBS) As expected, the Cubs will start left-hander Jon Lester in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series on Saturday at Wrigley Field, manager Joe Maddon confirmed Thursday.

While nothing is official, signs also point to right-hander Kyle Hendricks starting Game 2 as he says he feel "great" after leaving Game 2 of the NLDS last Friday with an arm contusion. After further evaluation on Hendricks in the coming days, the Cubs will announce their Game 2 starter. Hendricks threw a bullpen session Thursday during an afternoon workout.

The Cubs will face either the Dodgers or Nationals, who play Game 5 of their NLDS on Thursday night. Lester didn't make a start against the Nationals this season. He dominated the Dodgers in a pair of outings, allowing just one earned run, seven hits and two walks while striking out 16 across those 15 innings. He picked up one win and took one no-decision.

In the NLDS, the Cubs' rotation went Lester-Hendricks-Jake Arrieta-John Lackey.