to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 104-95 preseas to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 104-95 preseas | Forum

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers will turn to Kenta Maeda to start Game 5 of the National League Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday. Custom Boston Celtics Jerseys .Maeda (0-1), and not ace Clayton Kershaw, will get the baseball in a crucial contest of the series, which is tied at two games apiece. Games 6 and 7 (if necessary) will be at Wrigley Field this weekend.Maeda gets the call despite his inability to deliver so far in the postseason. Although the 28-year-rookie from Japan received a no-decision in Game 1 of the NLCS, he allowed three runs on four hits in four innings, walking three and striking out two.Maeda lost his other playoff start in Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the Washington Nationals, serving up four runs on five hits in three innings in his second-shortest start of the season.Its one reason some in the media speculated Roberts might go to Kershaw again on three days rest.Well, I think that (Thursday) isnt a deciding game, Roberts said, insisting hes sticking with Maeda.Roberts also said Kershaw wasnt available for Game 5 of the NLDS against the Nationals. However, Roberts surprised many in the baseball world by bringing in Kershaw to close the series clincher and record the final two outs after closer Kenley Jansen worked the previous 2 1/3 innings.Its not an elimination game, Roberts continued. And I think the accumulation of (Kershaws) usage over the last 10 days plays a factor in our decision. So, I think that for us thinking through it, the best thing for us is to have him pitch Game 6 and have Kenta go Thursday.Maeda realizes he needs to deliver.Im not going to be too careful even though I havent been pitching well in the postseason, Maeda said of his approach for the game. What Im going to be really focused on is just pitching well (Thursday) and not worry too much about what I have done in the past.Jon Lester (1-0, 0.64), who didnt factor into the decision in Game 1 against the Dodgers, will get the nod for the Cubs. Lester allowed a run on four hits with three strikeouts and a walk in six innings in the series opener. However, manager Joe Maddon lifted him for a pinch-hitter despite Lester throwing only 77 pitches (47 strikes).Lester wasnt pleased with Maddons decision initially but said he calmed down once he got in the dugout.I knew it was a grind, even though the pitch count wasnt as high as it could have been with how I was throwing the ball, said Lester, who served up a pinch-hit home run to Andre Ethier in what turned out to be an 8-4 win by the Cubs. But like I said then, I dont get paid to make decisions. I pitch as long as he tells me to pitch.Said Maddon, The other day at home, he wasnt the sharpest but still gave us a strong opportunity to win that game, and we eventually did. So, I like his mound demeanor right now.In his last start at Dodger Stadium, Lester, who finished the regular season 19-5 with a 2.44 ERA in 32 starts, threw six scoreless innings in a 1-0 win by Los Angeles. Jaylen Brown Celtics Jersey . SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. Dennis Johnson Jersey . -- Derrick Rose shook off poor shooting early to hit clutch shots late and Carlos Boozer had 20 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 104-95 preseason victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night. http://www.authenticcelticsproshop.com/Jaylen-Brown-Jersey/ . -- When the Florida Panthers fell behind by two goals in the first period to the top team in the NHL, it appeared they were on their way to yet another loss. ' ' '