CHICAGO _ The Cubs are 3-3 against the Nationals going into the season series finale on Sunday, but they're 5-11 combined against the other three probable NL playoff teams, the Dodgers, Diamondbacks and Rockies.
Manager Joe Maddon said he doesn't care what their record is against those teams.
"No, as long as you get to the playoffs," he said. "I want to believe we will beat some of the better teams in the league to get there. Right now there is so much parity throughout each league."
After Sunday, only 12 of the Cubs' final 52 games are against teams currently above .500 _ seven against the Brewers, three against the Diamondbacks and two against the Rays.
"We've had a hard time with the West, and I think that's primarily because we've had a hard time with the pitching in the West, more than anything else," he said. "We have to be able to beat better pitching. ... We'll take it any way we can get it, but I do believe we can play with anybody."
