The Cubs have veteran Jason Hammel pitching against rookie John Lamb, who is 1-4 with a 5.40 ERA.

But there is far more to liking the Cubs in this one than just the starting pitching matchup. It's so much that this game is an action play for me regardless of who is pitching. I just want the Cubs over the Reds.

Chicago is 41-18 in its last 59 games, still motivated to try to get home field for a wild-card playoff game. The Cubs have won four in a row.

Cincinnati is more dead than Jimmy Hoffa. The Reds have lost 11 in a row and 22 of their past 28 home games. They are likely to be without their two most dangerous hitters, Todd Frazier and Joey Votto. Both are hurt.

The Reds are just playing the string out. They have lost their last six games by an average of six runs.