Cubs scouting report
Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium
TV: WGN Friday and Sunday; Comcast SportsNet Saturday
Radio: WGN 720-AM
Pitching matchups: The Cubs’ Jeff Samardzija (7-8) vs. Chad Billingsley (6-9) Friday at 9:10 p.m.; Chris Volstad (0-7) vs. Clayton Kershaw (8-6) Saturday at 8:10 p.m.; Justin Germano (1-1) vs. Aaron Harang (7-6) Sunday at 3:10 p.m.
At a glance: The Cubs took two of three from the Dodgers in early May at Wrigley Field, with Volstad getting the only loss. Things are much different for the Cubs. Paul Maholm picked up a win against the Dodgers, but he’s been traded. Reliever Rafael Dolis earned a save and a win, and he’s now in the minor leagues. The second-place Dodgers (56-50) were off Thursday, and they picked up a half-game on the first-place Giants and now are only a half-game back. Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp lead the Dodgers in the key offensive stats, with Kemp having an OPS of 1.065. Overall, the Dodgers get it done with pitching. Their team ERA of 3.38 is third in the NL, while the Cubs are 14th (4.31). Kershaw’s ERA is 2.95. On offense, the Dodgers are 13th in runs scored, while the Cubs are 15th.
Next: San Diego Padres at Petco Park, Monday-Wednesday
— Bruce Miles