Jason Hammel has been named the Chicago Cubs starter for Game 4 of the NLCS on Wednesday.
The right-hander didn’t fare too well in his first start of the post-season during the NLDS. Hammel allowed two runs on three hits and three walks in only three innings pitched. He didn’t suffer the loss, but he wasn’t named the starter for Game 3 because Kyle Hendricks will get the chance to start instead.
Instead of bringing back Jon Lester on short rest, the Cubbies will go with the 33-year-old who went 10-7 with a 3.74 ERA. Hammel was much better early in the season then to how he finished, which could be a reason Chicago is waiting to start him again.
The Cubs are going to need a good start from Hammel. The New York Mets are already up 2-0 in the series prior to Game 3 on Tuesday. If Chicago goes down 3-0, the rest of the season will be placed on the shoulder of the veteran.