Joe Maddon believes excellent Cubs pitching deciding factor in NLDS
Joe Maddon
Manager Joe Maddon  knows the Cubs' challenge is simple  regardless of whether they are facing Tanner Roark  Stephen Strasburg or Clayton Kershaw.
"(The Nationals) have spectacular pitching  but our guys have matched them inning after inning "  Maddon  said. "That's how we have won. Their pitching has been great. So has ours."
 Maddon  was speaking before before Tuesday's Game 4 of their best-of-five National League Division Series was postponed until Wednesday because of rain.
"You have to pitch better than great pitching to win it."  he  said. "And we have. It comes down to that. Our starting pitching has permitted us to be in this position."
 Maddon  said  he  didn't consider bumping Arrieta  who hasn't pitched since Sept. 26 because of a nagging right hamstring injury  in favor of Game 1 victor Kyle Hendricks.
Unlike the two wild-card games and the three other division series  the Cubs and Nationals have received exceptional starting pitching that reminded  Maddon  of postseason play in the 1960s and '70s.
"It has been interesting to watch "  Maddon  said. "The runs being scored against some really good pitching. I don't know the reason. There is no good reason.
 Maddon  was extremely pleased that  his  players stayed busy leading up to the postponement that came about 40 minutes after the scheduled starting time and that no one came to  his  office asking for updates.
Nor did  Maddon  convey  his  players were consumed with speculation over whether Strasburg would take Roark's spot.
"There's nothing you can do to control any of these events  so why even waste one second worrying about it "  Maddon  said.
In any case   Maddon  said  he 's sure the Cubs will be ready for the Dodgers if they advance.
"Whoever wins this series  we'll be ready for that moment "  Maddon  said. "Neither one will be concerned about that. You'll just be happy to get there  actually.
[TGT]knows the Cubs' challenge is simple  regardless of whether they are facing Tanner Roark  Stephen Strasburg or Clayton Kershaw.
"(The Nationals) have spectacular pitching  but our guys have matched them inning after inning [TGT]said. "That's how we have won. Their pitching has been great. So has ours.[TGT]was speaking before before Tuesday's Game 4 of their best-of-five National League Division Series was postponed until Wednesday because of rain.
"You have to pitch better than great pitching to win it."  he  said. "And we have. It comes down to that. Our starting pitching has permitted us to be in this position.[TGT]said  [TGT]  didn't consider bumping Arrieta  who hasn't pitched since Sept. 26 because of a nagging right hamstring injury  in favor of Game 1 victor Kyle Hendricks.
Unlike the two wild-card games and the three other division series  the Cubs and Nationals have received exceptional starting pitching that reminded  Maddon  of postseason play in the 1960s and '70s.
"It has been interesting to watch [TGT]said. "The runs being scored against some really good pitching. I don't know the reason. There is no good reason.
 [TGT]was extremely pleased that  [TGT]  players stayed busy leading up to the postponement that came about 40 minutes after the scheduled starting time and that no one came to  [TGT]  office asking for updates.
Nor did  [TGT]convey  [TGT]  players were consumed with speculation over whether Strasburg would take Roark's spot.
"There's nothing you can do to control any of these events  so why even waste one second worrying about it "  [TGT]said.
In any case   [TGT]said  [TGT] 's sure the Cubs will be ready for the Dodgers if they advance.
"Whoever wins this series  we'll be ready for that moment "  [TGT]said. "Neither one will be concerned about that. You'll just be happy to get there  actually.