The Cubs shouldn't be a favorite this high against any team, Reds included. The Cubs are 4-11 in their last 15 games. They are 10 games below .500 when playing at Wrigley Field.

Cincinnati is 5-4 in its last nine games. The Reds are averaging 5.4 runs during their last four games. The Cubs have scored four or fewer runs in eight of their last 10 games.

Red starter Justin Dunn is enjoying his best stretch posting a 2.40 ERA during his past three starts.

The Cubs wanted to start Justin Steele, but he's not quite ready yet. So instead veteran Wade Miley gets the start. The 35-year-old Miley pitched for the Reds the previous two seasons so Cincinnati should have a strong scouting report.

Miley has had a difficult season staying healthy. He missed the first month with elbow soreness. Then he went out with a shoulder strain. This is his first big-league start in nearly three months. Miley probably is going to be on a pitch count. That means the Cubs' bullpen could get extended work. The Cubs' bullpen has the seventh-worst ERA in the majors.