Cubs count on 3 wise men for ‘big-boy games’

LOS ANGELES — Sometimes it’s almost too easy to clip and save a strong quote, but here goes anyway.

At the start of the summer, after losing the opener of a four-game series against the Mets in New York, John Lackey corrected a reporter who implied that it was a significant series because it was a rematch of the 2015 National League Championship Series.

• NLCS Game 3: Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on FS1

“It’s June, who cares?” Lackey said. “Big-boy games are totally different.”

Game Date Time Matchup TV/Highlights Gm 1 Oct. 15   CHC 8, LAD 4 Gm 2 Oct. 16   LAD 1, CHC 0 Gm 3 Oct. 18 8 p.m. CHC @ LAD FS1 Gm 4 Oct. 19 8 p.m. CHC @ LAD FS1 Gm 5 Oct. 20 8 p.m. CHC @ LAD FS1 *Gm 6 Oct. 22 TBD LAD @ CHC FS1 *Gm 7 Oct. 23 TBD LAD @ CHC FS1 * If necessary | All times listed ET  • NLCS coverageShop for postseason gear: Cubs | Dodgers

Big-boy games, huh?

Well, here they are for the Cubs and their celebrated starting pitchers.

The best-of-seven series is tied 1-1 after a combined two-hitter from Clayton Kershaw and Kenley Jansen on Sunday.

Jake Arrieta, Lackey and Jon Lester give the Cubs an advantage over the Dodgers in Games 3-5, assuming you believe pitchers control games more than noisy fans or familiarity with the ballpark. Ben Zobrist is among teammates who trust in the veterans’ ability and experience.

“It’s big,” Zobrist said. “Those guys have been in these situations before. Guys like Lackey, Lester, Jake, they’re seasoned at these big games. I don’t think the big situation bothers them at all. They really look forward to the opportunity.”

Failure is not an option for the Cubs as they continue their search for baseball’s holy grail. If they don’t win at least two of the next three games, bad things could happen.

Kershaw, who has worked overtime in October, will be rested and ready to eliminate the …

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