Chicago @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 22, 2018 ) Chi. Cubs 8, Chi. White Sox 3

The Chicago Cubs have felt the wild swings of a pennant race recently, but they need only a few more good days to wrap up their third consecutive National League Central title. The Cubs will try to make Sunday another upswing when they face the host Chicago White Sox in the season finale of the Crosstown Cup.

The Cubs (90-64) won 8-3 on Saturday to even the series at a game apiece and reduce their magic number to clinch the NL Central to six. They lead Milwaukee by 2 1/2 games after the Brewers were blanked 3-0 at Pittsburgh on Saturday. "Of course, you'd like to be clinched by now, but who knows?,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon told reporters. “Sometimes when you get pressed a little bit like this, it can make you better. I just don't want us to get fatigued. There's not a manager or a team alive that will tell you they wouldn't prefer clinching well in advance.” The White Sox (61-93) need two wins in their final eight games to avoid their first 100-loss season since 1970.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, ABC 7 (Cubs), NBCS Chicago (White Sox)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (12-11, 3.58 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Carlos Rodon (6-6, 3.22)

Hendricks has been on a good run, allowing two or fewer earned runs in six straight starts with a 1.63 ERA over that stretch. The 28-year-old came within one out of a complete game Monday at Arizona, allowing one run and three hits with eight strikeouts. Hendricks is 0-2 with a 4.10 ERA in five starts against the White Sox.

Rodon is winless in four starts with a 5.25 ERA this month. The 25-year-old lost his third straight decision when he gave up five runs (four earned) over seven frames at Cleveland on Tuesday. Rodon is 0-1 with a 3.60 ERA in two starts against the Cubs.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Cubs are 12-7 in interleague play.

2. White Sox SS Tim Anderson hit his 20th home run Saturday, making him the first shortstop in franchise history with 20 homers and 20 stolen bases in the same season.

3. The Cubs added INF Mike Freeman to the roster Saturday to add infield depth with SS Addison Russell on administrative leave while Major League Baseball investigates allegations of domestic violence against his former wife.

PREDICTION: Cubs 4, White Sox 3