After a horrendous start, Luis Castillo has been one of the most effective pitchers in his last 10 starts posing a 1.71 ERA during this span. Castillo goes against a banged-up and demoralized Cubs squad that are highly likely to be sellers leading up to Friday's trade deadline. It's a dark cloud hovering above the Cubs.

Castillo should dominate again with the wind blowing in at around 14 mph and facing a Chicago lineup that could be without Javier Baez for a fourth straight day and leading hitter Nico Hoerner, who left Wednesday's game with an oblique strain. The Cubs finished Wednesday's 8-2 loss with Kris Bryant playing shortstop.

Cincinnati has fortified its vulnerable middle relief trading for Mychal Givens, Luis Cessa and Justin Wilson.

The Cubs are slated to start Alec Mills, who has a 4.55 ERA. He'l be dealing with a red-hot Joey Votto, who has homered in five consecutive games.