Chicago Cubs: Breaking down potential playoff opponents

Jun 29, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher

(right) and

in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Dodgers

See those gentlemen pictured above?

They are exactly why no one wants to face the Dodgers in a playoff series.

A combined 27-9 with a 1.88 earned run average, Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw are, besides Jake Arrieta, the two clear-cut front-runners for the National League Cy Young Award – and with good reason.

If the season ended today, Greinke’s 1.59 ERA would rank in the top 50 on the all-time single-season leaderboard; not bad for a guy who will likely exercise his opt-out clause this offseason and test free agency.

Joc Pedersen has faded badly down the stretch, while Adrian Gonzalez, Justin Turner and Andre Ethier have all performed consistently. That being said, this offense lacks some of the big-name pop that other teams on this list feature.

Ready to prove doubters wrong, Donnie Baseball and his crew are still a dangerous team; and with a one-two punch like Greinke and Kershaw headlining the rotation, they pose a very big threat to a young Cubs’ offense.

Next: Pittsburgh Pirates