Scouting report: Nationals at Cubs

Cubs vs. Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field

TV:

NBC Sports Chicago Friday; ABC 7 Saturday; ESPN Sunday

Radio:

WSCR 670-AM

Pitching matchups:

The Cubs' Kyle Hendricks (8-9) vs. Jeremy Hellickson (5-2) Friday at 1:20 p.m.; Jon Lester (12-4) vs. Tanner Roark (6-12) Saturday at 3:05 p.m.; Cole Hamels (7-9 overall, 2-0 Cubs) vs. Max Scherzer (15-5) Sunday at 7:08 p.m.

At a glance:

The Nationals were favored to win the NL East again this year but they've struggled under first-year manager Dave Martinez, the former Cubs player and former Cubs bench coach. They're third in the East and well out of the wild-card picture. Bryce Harper was held out of Thursday's lineup after being hit with pitches twice recently near the right knee. Harper's line entering the day was .234/.378/.501 with 28 homers and 71 RBI. Anthony Rendon was at .288/.344/.508 with 16 homers and 57 RBI. Closer Sean Doolittle is on the DL with a left-foot injury. The Cubs' Javier Baez entered Thursday's off-day leading the NL in RBI (88). Lester has an ERA of 6.42 over his last 8 starts.

Next:

Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field, Tuesday-Wednesday