Opposite dugout: Cubs gaining momentum to start possible playoff preview with Nats

Manager: Joe Maddon (3rd season)

Record: 57-50

Last 10 games: 6-4

Who to watch: 3B Kris Bryant (.274/.388/.511 with 20 HR, 47 RBIs), 1B Anthony Rizzo (.263/.392/.523 with 26 HR, 70 RBIs), C Wilson Contreras (.276/.347/.508 with 18 HR, 65 RBIs), RHP Kyle Hendricks (4-3, 3.80 ERA), RHP Wade Davis (2.43 ERA, 22 saves)

Season series vs. Nationals: 2-2

Pitching probables:

Aug. 4: RHP Tanner Roark vs. RHP Kyle Kendricks, 2:20 p.m., MASN
Aug. 5: RHP Edwin Jackson vs. RHP John Lackey, 2:20 p.m., MASN
Aug. 6: RHP Erick Fedde vs. LHP Jon Lester, 2:20 p.m., MASN

Inside the Cubs:

Remember when people were worried about the Cubs a couple of months back? Remember when they were hovering around .500 and in second place in the National League Central? Yeah, at this point, I don't think they do either.

After entering the All-Star break two games below .500 and 5 1/2 games back of the Brewers, the Cubbies are since 14-5 to regain the division lead. And they came firing out of the gate, racking up six straight road wins against the Orioles and Braves and winning five of their six series to start the second half, including two against Central rivals.

Like most contenders, the Cubs were busy at Monday's non-waiver trade deadline. After acquiring starting pitcher José Quintana from the White Sox for four minor leaguers (including their top two prospects) earlier in the month, Chicago's North Side team got Tigers closer Justin Wilson and catcher Alex Avila in exchange for two minor league infielders. Oddly enough, the Cubs' deadline acquisitions may have a lot to do with the Nationals and their imminent playoff matchup while the Dodgers run away with the NL. Wilson, who will slot before Wade Davis in the back end of the Cubs 'pen, adds another left-hander to matchup against powerful lefty bats, say for example Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy.

Meanwhile, Avila fills a hole left by Miguel Montero, who was designated for assignment and then traded to the Blue Jays after publicly criticizing Jake Arrieta and Chicago's pitching staff for allowing the Nationals to steal seven bases in one game on June 27.

While the Nationals still have to figure out their rotation for Saturday and Sunday, the Cubs have theirs set for the weekend. Kyle Hendricks will be the first of back-to-back right-handers to start for Joe Maddon at Wrigley Field. Hendricks is still building up his arm strength with this being just his third start since coming off the disabled list with right hand tendinitis. He got a no-decision in his last start against the Brewers, despite giving up just one run and six hits in five-plus innings, and is 2-1 with a 2.31 ERA lifetime against the Nats. John Lackey gets the ball for Saturday's matinee, bringing an 8-9 record and 4.87 ERA. The Nationals rocked him on June 28, as he gave up eight runs on nine hits (three home runs) in just 5 1/3 innings. But Lackey finished July 3-0 with a 3.27 ERA and 16 strikeouts over 22 innings. Jon Lester will be the only southpaw starter the Nats face on the North Side for Sunday's finale. Oddly enough again, Lester and Max Scherzer had similar nights on Tuesday: They both hit their first major league home run, but both didn't go deep into their respective games. Unlike Scherzer though, Lester avoided injury and just got his pitch count too high (104 in only four-plus innings). So look for the lefty to get back to an outing like he had earlier this year against the Nats, when he gave up just three hits and one run while striking out seven over six innings.