Maddon may make left turn against Scherzer, Nationals

Cubs manager Joe Maddon added some off-day intrigue to the National League Division Series by hinting he might play musical chairs with his lineup against Washington righthander Max Scherzer for their pivotal Game 3.

“I’m leaning toward that right now,” Maddon said after arranging breakfast on the field for his players during Sunday morning’s practice. “I mean, he’s just so oppressively difficult versus right-handed hitters, I thought it might be wise to get one more lefty out there.”

Maddon didn’t specify which left-handed bat he had in mind, or even where he might slot it. But he had talked about making the move before Stephen Strasburg was named Washington’s Game 1 starter over Scherzer, who got a couple extra days of rest after tweaking his right hamstring in his final regularseason start.

Game 3 of the deadlocked series already promised plenty of intrigue after a supersized two-run homer by Bryce Harper in the eighth inning Saturday breathed new life into a Washington lineup that had produced just four hits in the previous 15 innings. Ryan Zimmerman added a tiebreaking three-run homer later that same inning to complete the Nationals’ U-turn.

If Monday’s battle for momentum in the best-offive series wasn’t tantalizing enough, there were also lingering questions about Scherzer’s readiness and how Cubs left-hander Jose Quintana who came over from the cross-town White Sox in mid-July would handle his first appearance in the playoff spotlight.

“I feel I’ve done everything I can to put the strength in the leg,” Scherzer said. WORLD SERIES RING UP FOR SALE >> At least one individual associated with the Cubs doesn’t appear to be the sentimental type. The person is selling an official 2016 World Series ring commemorating the Cubs’ historic championship last season, ending their 108year drought.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that the ring, with its 214 diamonds, is listed by Leland’s Auctions. It says the seller is a scout but doesn’t include a name.

Bidding starts at around $2,000. It’ll go higher. Appraisers estimate its value at more than $50,000.

DIAMONDBACKS LEANING

ON GREINKE >> Zack Greinke left Los Angeles for a big payday in the desert. Now Arizona wants the exDodger to prove his worth.

The Diamondbacks are in dire need of a strong performance from the 17game winner to help prevent Los Angeles from sweeping them out of their National League Division Series.

Greinke will be on the mound when the best-offive series shifts to Arizona for Game 3 on Monday night after the Dodgers raked Diamondbacks pitching to take the first two games in Los Angeles.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said there’s no one he’d rather have there.

“He’s fearless. He’s on the attack. He understands strengths and limitations,” Lovullo said at his Sunday news conference. “So I feel like because he’s been our guy all year long and because I know what I know about him, I couldn’t think of a better guy to go out and execute tomorrow.”

The Dodgers counter with Yu Darvish (10-12, 3.86 ERA), a trade deadline acquisition from Texas.

Darvish made nine starts for Los Angeles, going 4-3 with a 3.44 ERA.