ten stronger since weve gotten him. I think hes sp

LOS ANGELES -- After nearly getting no-hit and watching one of their most popular players traded Thursday, the Los Angeles Dodgers now get the privilege of facing the Chicago Cubs, owners of the best record in baseball.The teams square off in a three-game series beginning Friday at Dodger Stadium.The Dodgers took two of three from the rival San Francisco Giants the past three days, but Matt Moores gem in the series finale stood out more than the wins. Moore pitched 8 2/3 innings of no-hit ball before a Corey Seager bloop single ruined the bid in a 4-0 San Francisco victory.The trade of well-liked catcher A.J. Ellis to the Philadelphia Phillies for catcher Carlos Ruiz hours stunned many in the Dodgers clubhouse before the game, but first baseman Adrian Gonzalez said the distraction didnt affect the performance on the field.I think we were ready to go and played our best, said Gonzalez, who had his 17-game hitting streak snapped in an 0-for-3 effort.Southern California native Mike Montgomery (1-1, 2.77 ERA) will face the Dodgers for the first time in his career while making his second start for the Cubs. Montgomery delivered in impressive fashion in his first start on Saturday at Colorado, taking a no-hitter into the fifth inning before departing after allowing a solo homer to Nick Hundley.Overall, Montgomery is 1-0 with a 0.87 ERA in his past five games.Montgomery, who was acquired by Chicago from the Seattle Mariners on July 20, has made 19 career starts in the majors, compiling a 5-7 record with a 4.34 ERA.Cubs catcher David Ross will be playing in his final series against Los Angeles. Ross, who is retiring at seasons end, started his major league career with the Dodgers in 2002.Im just excited about going back to where it all started, Ross told the Chicago Tribune. Being on the West Coast was different for a guy being from Florida. The whole California thing was just different than how I was raised and how things are out here.The Cubs (81-45) were off Thursday after completing a sweep of the San Diego Padres on Wednesday. Chicago has won eight of its past 10 games. The Cubs captured three of four from Los Angeles in a series May 30-June 2 at Wrigley Field.Bud Norris will start for the National League West leading-Dodgers (71-56). Norris last pitched in relief on Monday at Cincinnati, where he gave up for a run on two hits in two-thirds of an inning.Norris (6-10, 4.69 ERA) last started Aug. 19 against the Reds, allowing six runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings and taking the loss as the Dodgers fell 9-2. He struck out three and tied a season high with four walks.Since joining the Dodgers on June 30, he is 3-3 with a 5.67 ERA.Norris last faced the Cubs on June 10 as a member of the Atlanta Braves, allowing one run on four hits with six strikeouts and no walks in seven innings, earning the win in the Braves 5-1 victory.For his career, Norris is 5-5 with a 3.39 ERA in 12 career games (11 starts) against the Cubs.Rob Gronkowski Jersey . -- Josh Sterk scored once and set up two more as the Oshawa Generals edged the visiting Belleville Bulls 3-2 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. Tom Brady Patriots Jersey . Deulofeu injured a muscle in his right leg in Evertons 4-1 win over Fulham in the English Premier League on Saturday. Barcelona says that its team doctors will "co-ordinate" with Evertons medical staff as Deulofeu recovers. http://www.shoptheofficialpatriots.com/Elite-Kevin-Faulk-Patriots-Jersey/ .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. Irving Fryar Jersey . A knee to the thigh might have stung him the most, but his sixth straight double-double made up for the brief burst of pain. Julian Edelman Womens Jersey .Y. -- Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo had little trouble picking up his first shutout of the season against a Buffalo Sabres team thats having trouble scoring goals.CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers are trying their best to emulate last seasons Kansas City Chiefs.To do that, they must beat this seasons Chiefs on Sunday.The 2015 Chiefs did what 90 other NFL teams since 1990 had failed to do -- rebound from a 1-5 start to make the playoffs. They did it by running the table, winning their final 10 regular-season games.Carolina started 1-5 this season. But it has won two games since the bye week and there is a renewed sense of confidence and momentum. Panthers coach Ron Rivera said he shared the Chiefs story with his team a couple of weeks ago, telling them there is hope.Its been done before, Rivera said.Last years league MVP Cam Newton believes the Panthers have what it takes to bounce back.The seasons not over yet, Newton said. ... Were right where we want to be. Were in a position to compete and challenge teams and they know that.It wont be easy.The Chiefs are riding a four-game winning streak and have won 16 of their last 18 regular season games.Rivera said he briefly thought about calling Reid, whom he worked under as an assistant coach in Philadelphia, to get some advice, but thought better of it knowing the Chiefs were coming up on the schedule.If theres anybody that can turn things around for the NFC champions it would seem to be Newton. Although the Panthers started last season 14-0, they are typically slow starters -and strong finishers -- under the 2011 No. 1 pick. Newton has won 72 percent (31-12) of the games hes started from November through January, as opposed to 42 percent (17-24-1) in September and October.ALEX RETURNS: Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith is back under center after missing last weeks game against Jacksonville with a head injury. Smith was never diagnosed with a concussion, but two hard hits he sustained in Indianapolis left him woozy on the field, and Reid decided early last week that sitting out a game would be in Smiths best interest.Nick Foles started in his place.I felt really good regardless, Smith said. Thankfully Nick and the rest of the guys got the W, thats what is most important. Obviously I was doing everything I could to try and help in whatever way it is. Im pumped and happy to get back and get going this week.FORD TOOUGH: Chiefs pass rusher Dee Ford was a teammate with Newton at Auburn.ddddddddddddNewton remembers it well.Hes always had that professional sense that you had to respect, and I saw that at Auburn, and its just great to see hard work pay off, Newton said.The Chiefs only have 16 sacks this season and nine of those belong to Ford. The 2014 first-round pick was largely considered a bust before coming on late last year, and hes been crucial as the Chiefs await Justin Houstons return from knee surgery. And 5 1-2 of those sacks have come in the last two weeks.I think hes very comfortable with the defense now, Reid said. Its a fairly complicated defense, but hes got a pretty good grasp of it. I think hes probably gotten stronger since weve gotten him. I think hes spent a ton of time in that weight room. Hes got himself in shape to where he can do this back-to-back thing.HOUSTON, WE HAVE NO PROBLEM: Chiefs linebacker Houston makes his first return to the lineup this week after recovering from a knee injury last season. The four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher was removed from the physically unable to perform list earlier this week, but has not played in a game since having surgery to repair his left ACL in February.SACK ATTACK: Carolina is getting after the QB. The Panthers have a dozen sacks in their last two games, matching their total from the first six games. A big part of that is the Panthers playing with the lead and playing less mobile quarterbacks in Carson Palmer and Case Keenum. This week theyll face Smith, who has deceiving speed and athleticism.CENTER OF ATTENTION: Keep an eye on the Panthers center situation. Two-time All-Pro Ryan Kalil and his backup Gino Gradkowski have been held out of practice this week, which means guard Chris Scott could be pressed into duty. Scott has very limited experience playing center, which could make it interesting if the Panthers limit the number of snaps Newton takes from the shotgun.---AP Sports Writer Dave Skretta in Kansas City contributed to this report.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFLAP ' ' '