Opposite dugout: Cubs continue winning ways at record pace

Manager: Joe Maddon (2^nd season)

Record: 43-18

Last 10 games: 7-3

Who to watch: 2B Ben Zobrist (.324 average, 66 hits); 3B Kris Bryant (15 HR, 45 RBIs); 1B Anthony Rizzo (14 HR, .264 average); RHP Jake Arrieta (10-1, 1.86 ERA); RHP John Lackey (7-2, 2.63 ERA); RHP Jason Hammel (7-2, 2.36 ERA).

Season series vs. Nationals: 4-0

Pitching probables:

June 13: RHP Kyle Hendricks vs. RHP Max Schezer, 7:05 p.m., MASN
June 14: RHP John Lackey vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez, 7:05 p.m., MASN
June 15: RHP Jason Hammel vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg, 4:05 p.m., MASN

Inside the Cubs:

The last time the Cubs and Nationals met, the Nationals were on the tail end of a 10-game road trip against three of the league's top clubs. And following a sweep of the Cardinals and a series win against the Royals, the Nationals traveled to the Windy City to face a Cubs team which, even at that time, was on pace for an historic season.

The Nationals found success in St. Louis and Kansas City. Not so much in Chicago. The Cubs handed the Nationals just their second series loss of the year and swept the Nats to further assert their dominance in the National League.

Fast forward one month, and the situation is pretty similar. The Nationals have kept pace atop the NL East, while the Cubs continue to win at an impressive rate. With their series-clinching win over the Braves on Sunday, the Cubs are a league-best 43-18, 25 games over .500. They're on pace for one of the greatest seasons in history, thanks to a balanced offensive attack, solid bullpen, and a starting rotation that seems to have no weaknesses.

Offensively, the Cubs have a few veteran players scattered throughout the roster, but the nucleus of its power is still quite young. Sluggers Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo are just 24 and 26 years old, respectively, and have combined to hit 29 of the team's 73 home runs. Bryant also leads the team with 67 hits, but hitters Ben Zobrist and Dexter Fowler aren't far behind as both have more than 60 hits as well. As a unit, the Cubs' offense ranks second in runs scored, sixth in home runs, fifth in slugging percentage and first in walks.

From a pitching standpoint, this is where things get pretty scary for Cubs opponents. Heading into Sunday's game against the Braves, the Cubs ranked 1^st in the National League in wins, ERA, hits allowed, runs allowed, earned runs allowed, and home runs allowed. If there is any good news for the Nationals, the timing of this series means they won't have to face ace Jake Arrieta, who sports a miniscule 1.86 ERA and is on pace to win his second straight NL Cy Young Award.

That doesn't mean it will be a walk in the park for the Nats, however. The Cubs' three starters - Kyle Hendricks, John Lackey and Jason Hammel - all have ERAs under 3.00 and Lackey and Hammel are a combined 14-4 on the year. Hendricks, who starts the series opener Monday night, is just 4-5 on the season, but limited the Nationals to just two hits in six innings of work during a start on May 5. Lackey, meanwhile, has won his last three decisions, allowing just one earned run in those starts. Hammel will start Wednesday's matinee affair against Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg, which should make for a captivating series finale and quite the pitchers duel.

The Cubs bullpen has been impressive this season, too, but does not get the attention that the starting rotation has received. Closer Hector Rondon has only 11 saves but has allowed only three earned runs in more than 19 innings of work. Relievers Trevor Cahill, Travis Wood and Pedro Strop are a combined 4-2 and all have ERAs under 3.00.

In short, the Nationals have continued to have success in their division and remain among the top tier of ballclubs in the NL. But the Cubs are the true measuring stick for teams this season and there is a good chance the road to the World Series will go through either Washington D.C. or the north side of Chicago.