Cubs scouting report

Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium

TV: Comcast SportsNet Monday and Wednesday; WGN Tuesday

Pitching matchups: The Cubs’ James Russell (1-3) vs. Clayton Kershaw Monday at 9:10 p.m.; Ryan Dempster (1-3) vs. Chad Billingsley (2-1) Tuesday at 9:10 p.m.; Carlos Zambrano (3-11) vs. Ted Lilly (2-2) Wednesday at 2:10 p.m.

At a glance: The Dodgers took two of three from the Cubs at Wrigley Field April 22-24. Dempster brings a 9.58 ERA into the series. Monday’s start for Russell will be his fourth despite speculation the Cubs would bring a pitcher up from the minor leagues. Russell gave up 3 homers to the Rockies in his last start. Entering Sunday, the Cubs were 12th in home runs, with 21. Alfonso Soriano had 10 of those homers to set a club mark for home runs in April. The Dodgers were 10th in homers (22). The Cubs got their team ERA under 5.00, at 4.99 entering Sunday. That ranked 15th in the NL. The Dodgers were 11th, at 4.31.

Next: Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field, Friday-Sunday

— Bruce Miles