Cincinnati @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 15, 2018 ) Cincinnati 0, Chi. Cubs 1

Even with their offense sputtering, the Chicago Cubs have been able to get the better of the Cincinnati Reds. The Cubs hope the latter of those trends continues when they wrap up a three-game series against the visiting Reds on Sunday.

The Cubs (87-61) have claimed eight straight meetings and hold an 11-7 edge in the season series after outdueling the Reds 1-0 on Saturday to increase their National League Central lead to 2 1/2 games over Milwaukee. Chicago has won four of its last five games despite scoring only 12 runs over that stretch. Cincinnati has lost 11 of its last 13 road games and three straight overall. The Reds’ offense has had even less punch than the Cubs’ recently, totaling three runs during the three-game skid.

TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), ABC 7 (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Luis Castillo (9-12, 4.66 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Jose Quintana (13-9, 3.97)

Castillo hasn’t lived up to the hype generated by his half-season in the majors last year, but he has posted a 1.50 ERA in three starts in September and racked up 27 strikeouts in 18 innings over that stretch. The 25-year-old struck out nine and held the Los Angeles Dodgers to one run over 6 1/3 innings in a win Tuesday. Castillo is 1-1 with a 6.00 ERA in four starts against the Cubs this season.

Quintana has been excellent down the stretch, going 3-0 with a 1.84 ERA in his last five starts. The 29-year-old pitched the Cubs to critical wins over the Brewers in each of his past two starts, including a gem Tuesday in which he allowed three hits over 6 2/3 scoreless frames. Quintana is 4-1 with a 2.17 ERA in six 2018 starts against the Reds.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs RHP Brandon Morrow is ready to return to Chicago’s bullpen after a 19-pitch simulated game Saturday, but he will not return to the closer’s role immediately.

2. Chicago OFs Kyle Schwarber (back) and Jason Heyward (hamstring) could return to the lineup during the Cubs’ series against the Diamondbacks beginning Monday.

3. Reds SS Jose Peraza is 18-for-41 during a 10-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Reds 3, Cubs 2