Cubs to get acclimated to Dodgers starters in NLCS

Cubs manager Joe Maddon admitted it would be “awkward” to face the likes of ace Clayton Kershaw, Kenta Maeda and Rich Hill for the first time in 2016 during the National League Championship Series starting Saturday night at Wrigley Field.

“I do believe a pitcher that’s pitching well should have an advantage over a team that has not seen him to this point,” Maddon said Thursday before the Dodgers edged the Nationals in Game 5 of the NL Division Series.

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Kershaw pitched three times in the NLDS, including two-thirds of an inning to earn the save in the clinching game Thursday night.

Maeda, who was 16-11 during the regular season, allowed four runs on five hits in three innings Sunday.

Hill, a former Cub who was traded from Oakland before the July 31 trade deadline, lasted only seven innings in two NLDS starts.

Conversely, Jake Arrieta is the likely Game 3 starter for the Cubs and is lined up to pitch Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium, where he threw a no-hitter on Aug. 30, 2015.

Arrieta limited the Dodgers to two hits over seven innings on May 31 at Wrigley but left with a no decision as the Cubs lost 5-0.

“Jake honestly has had success against a lot of groups,” Maddon said.