Cincinnati @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 7, 2018 ) Cincinnati 7, Chi. Cubs 8

Early deficits haven’t meant much to the Chicago Cubs, whose last eight victories have been comeback wins. The cardiac Cubs will take any type of win they can get when they host the Cincinnati Reds for the finale of a three-game series Sunday.

The Cubs erased a five-run deficit in an 8-7 win Saturday, snapping a five-game losing streak against the Reds to even the series. Chicago (50-36) has matched its high-water mark for the season at 14 games above .500 and pulled within 1 1/2 games of National League Central leader Milwaukee. The loss was just the fifth in 19 games for the Reds, who are 7-4 against Chicago this season. The Reds haven’t won a series at Wrigley Field since July 4-6, 2016.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Luis Castillo (5-8, 5.53 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Jon Lester (11-2, 2.25)

Castillo’s season has been disappointing this season, but he took a shutout in the seventh inning of a no-decision Monday against the Chicago White Sox. It was the 25-year-old’s first quality start since May 24 and just his fifth in 18 outings this season. Castillo is 1-0 with a 2.16 ERA in three starts against the Cubs.

Lester won his seventh straight start when he allowed four runs (two earned) over five innings to beat Minnesota last Sunday. The 34-year-old has allowed two or fewer earned runs in six consecutive outings, posting a 1.46 ERA over that stretch. Lester is 6-1 with a 4.07 ERA in 14 starts against the Reds.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs 2B Javier Baez is 20-for-43 with 12 RBIs and 13 runs scored over his past 10 games and leads the team with 26 multi-hit games.

2. Reds 3B Eugenio Suarez is 14-for-38 during a 10-game hitting streak and leads the NL with 66 RBIs.

3. Cincinnati CF Billy Hamilton has 18 stolen bases at Wrigley Field, the most all-time by a Reds player.

PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Reds 2