Cubs scouting report

By Bruce Miles

Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field

TV: WGN Friday; Comcast SportsNet Saturday and Sunday

Radio: WGN 720-AM

Pitching matchups: The Cubs’ Ryan Dempster (8-8) vs. Mike Leake (9-6) Friday at 1:20 p.m.; Carlos Zambrano (8-6) vs. Johnny Cueto (7-4) Saturday at 12:05 p.m.; Randy Wells (3-4) vs. Bronson Arroyo (7-9) Sunday at 1:20 p.m.

At a glance: The Cubs are 2-6 against the Reds this year, 1-2 at Wrigley Field. The defending NL Central champion Reds have struggled, and they enter the weekend 54-57 and fourth in the division. Joey Votto leads the Reds in most of the key offensive categories except home runs; Jay Bruce leads with 21 homers. The Reds were second in the NL in runs scored entering Thursday. The team ERA of 4.01 ranked 11th. The Cubs were 16th in ERA, at 4.63.

Next: Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field, Monday-Wednesday