The set-up: The Cubs have responded to a four-game losing streak by winning their last three, all in comeback fashion.The Cubs rallied for another thrilling victory last night in Cincinnati. Anthony Rizzo's three-run HR with two outs in the ninth forced extra innings and Kris Bryant's sacrifice fly in the 11th gave Chicago to a 6-5 win. That's three straight comeback wins for Chicago, with five of their last eight victories being of the come-from-behind variety. As for the Reds, the loss in the opener of this three-game set makes it three straight defeats and after opening 2017 at 7-2, the Reds are now just 9-8 and on a 2-6 skid.

The pitching matchup: Jake Arrieta (2-0 & 2.89 ERA) takes the mound for the Cubs and Cody Reed (1-0 & 0.00 ERA) for the Reds.Arrieta won his first two starts of 2017 but settled for a no-decision the last time out in an 8-7 Chicago win at Pittsburgh.He allowed three runs on five hits (including two HRs) over 5 2/3 innings. He is 5-2 with a 3.47 ERA in seven career starts against the Reds. Cody Reed suffered through a 'nightmare' rookie season in 2016. He made 10 starts last year going 0-7 (team was 0-10) with a 7.36 ERA and 1.80 WHIP (opponents batted .328 against him). He's opened the 2017 season in the bullpen and after four appearances, has yet to allow a run or even a hit, although it's over a modest eight innings. He walked four his first time out but has now retired 18 straight batters over his last three appearances with eight Ks! Reed was 0-2 with a 12.38 ERA in two starts against the Cubs in 2016.

The pick: Reed gets his first start of 2017 in this one and faces a Chicago team he met twice last year, going 0-2 against with a 12.38 ERA. That hardly bodes well here, as the Cubs have scored 22 runs (7.33 per) on 33 hits during their three-game winning streak. The Cubs have now won 19 of their past 23 games vs. Cincinnati and six of the past seven series. Chicago was 15-4 last season against the Reds, including 8-2 at Great American Ball Park. Make the Cubs an 8* play