Scouting report: Washington Nationals vs. Cubs
TV:
ABC 7 Friday; NBC Sports Chicago Saturday; WGN Sunday
Radio:
WSCR 670-AM
Pitching matchups:
The Cubs' Jon Lester (10-8) vs. Anibal Sanchez (7-6) Friday; Jose Quintana (11-7) vs. TBD Saturday; Cole Hamels (7-4) vs. Stephen Strasburg (15-5) Sunday. All games 1:20 p.m.
At a glance:
The Cubs took two of three at Nationals Park in mid-May. Under former Cubs player and coach Dave Martinez, the Nationals have come on. They entered Thursday night's game at Pittsburgh second in the National League East and leading the wild-card race. Their run differential of plus-88 was second in the NL. The Cubs are third at plus-74. Anthony Rendon entered Thursday with a line of .323/.402/.607 with 27 home runs and 100 RBI. Juan Soto was at .288/.399/.552 with a team-leading 28 homers to go with 83 RBI. The Nats and Cubs are top-half offensive teams. The Cubs were third in team ERA (4.09) entering Thursday while the Nats were seventh (4.41) Lester is 2-3 with a 4.82 ERA in 8 career starts against Washington.
Next:
New York Mets at Citi Field, Tuesday-Thursday
- Bruce Miles