Scouting report: Cubs vs. Washington Nationals at Nationals Park

Posted May 16, 2019 1:00 am

TV: WGN Friday; FOX Saturday; ESPN Sunday

Radio: WSCR 670-AM

Pitching matchups: The Cubs' Cole Hamels (3-0) vs. Max Scherzer (2-4) at 6:05 p.m. Friday; Jon Lester (3-1) vs. Stephen Strasburg (3-3) at 6:15 p.m. Saturday; Kyle Hendricks (3-4) vs. Jeremy Hellickson (2-2) at 6:07 p.m. Sunday

At a glance: The Nationals are 18-25 and manager Dave Martinez (the former Cubs bench coach) is on the hot seat. Without Bryce Harper, who left for Philadelphia, the Nationals rank in the bottom half of most key offensive categories. Their team ERA of 4.72 was 13th in the NL entering Thursday. Adam Eaton had a hitting line of .275/.341/.383 with 3 home runs and 11 RBI entering Thursday. Victor Robles led the team with 8 homers. Shortstop Trea Turner (broken finger) may be able to come off the injured list for this series. Ryan Zimmerman is on the IL with a foot injury. This is the third of three straight games on "Sunday Night Baseball" for the Cubs. They're also in the midst of nine straight night games, including three on next week's homestand. Hamels is 16-9 with a 2.67 ERA in 37 career starts against the Nats.

Next: Philadelphia Phillies, Monday to Thursday at Wrigley Field

- Bruce Miles

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