Cubs' Jon Lester Available In Relief, Ready For Any Role In Game 7

(CBS) Cubs left-hander Jon Lester will be available in relief for a winner-take-all Game 7 of the World Series against the Indians on Wednesday night, manager Joe Maddon said late Tuesday.

Maddon wasn't sure if Lester is a candidate to close the game if the Cubs went to closer Aroldis Chapman earlier -- like they did in the seventh innings of Game 5 and Game 6 -- but he'll "definitely" be available.

Lester earned the win in Game 5 on Sunday, throwing six innings of two-run ball in a 90-pitch effort. He's 3-1 with a 1.93 ERA this postseason, and Lester said he's ready for whatever Maddon calls upon him to do.

"I'll pitch until he takes me out," Lester said in response to how long he could go on two days rest.

"If there's a weird situation and they have to bring me in, at this point, we have three months to recover. I'll do what I can -- if he wants me to get one out, if he wants me to get whatever, it'll be the same thing as when I start a game. I'll pitch until he takes me out."

That said, Lester would rather the Cubs just take care of business as usual. Right-hander Kyle Hendricks will start for Chicago. He was the MLB ERA champion this season.

"Hopefully nothing weird is needed," Lester said. "Hopefully Kyle is Kyle, the guys that have gotten us here all year are called upon and I can keep my happy little butt right there in that dugout and not have to worry about anything."

Lester has made three career relief appearances, all in 2007, his second year in the league. One was in the regular season, and two were in the American League Championship Series when he helped the Red Sox en route to a World Series title.