Cubs won't alter rotation for NLCS, Joe Maddon says

— -- CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs will stay with the same pitching rotation for the National League Championship Series against the  Los Angeles Dodgers, manager Joe Maddon said Friday.

Game 1 pitcher Jon Lester will be followed by  Kyle Hendricks, Jake Arrieta and John Lackey for Games 2, 3 and 4.

"It's been configured," Maddon told media at Wrigley Field.

Hendricks says he feels OK despite leaving Game 2 of the NLDS against the San Francisco Giants after taking a line drive off the forearm of his pitching hand.

"I feel great," Hendricks said Friday. "Three days ago, I was able to go out and play catch for the first time, and [the hand] almost felt 100 percent. It's good to go. I've let everyone with the team know that."

Hendricks' availability for Game 2 allows him to pitch at Wrigley Field, where he compiled a 1.15 ERA during the regular season. It also allows Arrieta to pitch at Dodger Stadium, where he threw a no-hitter last season. Lester was the obvious candidate for Game 1 after he shut out the Giants for eight innings in the Cubs' playoff opener.

"Watched him the last game against the Giants, really calm demeanor," Maddon said. "Threw the ball where he wanted to, him and David [Ross] always work well together."

The Cubs spent Friday working on fundamentals as hitters were required to bunt off a pitching machine. They then they took full batting practice. The team is hoping to break out of a mini-slump at the plate, though Tuesday's four-run rally in the ninth inning of Game 4 against the Giants may have provided the boost they were looking for.

"A game like that could carry over," shortstop Addison Russell said. "We'll find out tomorrow."