Dodgers' high-tech tricks don't bother Cubs' Maddon

Lasers and GPS-like systems may be starting to replace notebooks and different-color pencils when it comes to defensive positioning in baseball.

The New York and Los Angeles media corps were all over a story Sunday about the Dodgers using laser technology to position outfielders during their weekend series at New York's Citi Field.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon pretty much shrugged it off as it might concern his team and the Dodgers, who come to town Memorial Day.

According to reports, the Mets contacted the Major League Baseball office to question the Dodgers' use of a laser range finder to gauge distance and aid the team's outfield position.

Mets manager Terry Collins said the Dodgers paint in the outfield at Dodger Stadium but said they didn't find anything Friday.

"I was aware we had gotten a report they were painting spots in the outfield, which they do at Dodger Stadium," Collins told the media. "We went out to check and didn't find anything, but you just don't go paint someone else's field. There was nothing there."

Maddon talked about how the sophistication of defensive positioning has evolved.

"I used to be in charge of setting up defenses with Angels," he said. "I'd go out before the first game of the series, and I'd stand in my spot in the dugout, and I would have somebody go stand in each position, and I would find out where 'straight-up' was. And I would put a marker behind you, a sign on the wall, and that would indicate to me if you were standing straight-up so I could move you to the pull (side), three or four steps, or to the soft side three or four steps.

"If they're putting markers on the field, it doesn't bother me. They could put bull's-eyes out there, I don't care. It doesn't really matter. There's other ways to do exactly the same thing. I think it's a little bit overblown regarding both its importance and the fact that we should not permit somebody to do it. It really doesn't matter because I think there are other ways to do exactly the same thing without using a laser."

Whatever method is used, it's all about placing fielders in positions to create outs. Between scouting reports, infield shifts and, now, advanced technology, hitting safely is becoming harder than ever to do.

Not exactly heartbroken:

The Cubs will not face Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, who was scheduled to start Sunday night against the Mets. Kershaw entered the game with a 7-1 record and a National League-leading 1.48 ERA.

"Bummer, man," Joe Maddon said. "It's just the way the cookie crumbles sometimes. Sometimes teams miss (Cubs ace Jake) Arrieta. Listen, this guy (Kershaw) is really good. I've really gotten to appreciate it over the last couple of years more consistently. He's exceptional. I always want us to compete against the best. To save that for a little bit later in the season, I'm OK with it."

This and that:

The Cubs completed their first three-game sweep of the Phillies at Wrigley Field since July 28-30, 1995. They swept the Phillies at Veterans Stadium July 25-27, 2000 ... Miguel Montero's second-inning homer hit the bottom of the right-field videoboard. Kyle Schwarber hit the top of the board last fall in the division series, but Montero is the first Cubs batter to hit it during the regular season.