Cubs ready to test themselves in three-game series against Dodgers

The Dodgers won 100 games last season before being swept in the National League Division Series.

Then they signed Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto to augment an already formidable lineup and rotation.

For a Cubs team trying to exceed projections, this series will show how they measure up, particularly against the Dodgers’ MVP triumvirate of Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts. They got off to a good start Friday with a 9-7 victory.

Manager Craig Counsell acknowledged the challenges of facing a perennial contender.

“This is a fun series,” he said. “You get to challenge yourself against a good team. This is a team that’s been to the playoffs [11] years in a row.’’

The Cubs’ pitching staff, which largely pitches to contact, is facing a powerful lineup. The Dodgers entered Friday atop the majors in home runs and third in slugging percentage.

“What good lineups do is they provide length, and they make it tough throughout, so there’s no easy innings,” Counsell said. “Look at the top of their lineup; there are three of the better hitters in the game, and that’s a challenging spot to get through. But you have to attack that, and it just puts a premium on execution and making quality pitches.”

Busch off to good start

First baseman Michael Busch was in North Carolina when he learned of his trade from the Dodgers to the Cubs in January. The move allowed him to get regular at-bats, which wasn’t feasible with Freeman and third baseman Max Muncy entrenched at the corner-infield spots.

“You go out there, and no matter who it is, you play against guys who were former teammates in college or high school,” Busch said. “It’s the beautiful part about sports.”

The Cubs acquired Busch to fill the hole at first base that has existed since the club traded Anthony Rizzo in July 2021. Since then, Cubs first basemen have slashed .217/.297/.292. Busch has shown some encouraging signs, slashing .313/.400/.313 entering Friday.

“I think it’s gone like the way we’ve hoped,” Counsell said. “Michael is going to be just kind of a consistent presence. That’s what he is right now and then just trying to stack at-bats.”

After hitting 27 home runs at Triple-A last year and having no every-day spot in the lineup available, Busch will have more of an opportunity to establish himself as a major-leaguer with the Cubs.

“He’s definitely the best minor-league hitter I’ve ever seen,” Dodgers pitcher Gavin Stone told the Sun-Times. “He’s a great teammate and a great guy, so I’m happy for him that he made the Opening Day roster and is here with the Cubs.”

Suzuki’s strong start continues

Right fielder Seiya Suzuki continued to sparkle with one hit and three RBI on Friday. Counsell said Suzuki seems more comfortable at the plate in his third year in the majors.

“Seiya was a big producer in Japan,” Counsell said. “He got that stretch of time here in the big leagues where he’s producing, and it just gives you the confidence.”