The Chicago Cubs sprinted out of the gate right after the All Sta break, catching and passing the Brewers in the NL Central. However, a 3-7 run (from Aug. 2-9) brought them back to the pack, but they are hopeful that they have righted the ship by winning eight of the their last 11, including a three-game IL series sweep over the Blue Jays this past weekend. Coming off a day of rest on Monday, the Cubs were helped by the Giants who beat the Brewers 2-0 and Chicago currently sits 2 1/2 games up on the Brewers and 3 1/2 up on the Cards in the division. The Cubs have a golden opportunity to pad their lead with a six-game road trip to Cincinnati and Philadelphia, which are both last-place teams. "It's that time of year, sink or swim now," Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo told reporters. "We've got to just keep going and play clean baseball. I think we are." The Reds have played better of late, winning four of their last six and splitting a four-game series in Chicago last week. However, the Reds are 53-72, a record better than only the 51-win Giants and 45-win Phils in the National League.

The pitching matchup: John Lackey (10-9 & 4.67 ERA) takes the mound for Chicago and Homer Bailey (4-6 & 8.44 ERA) for Cincinnati. Lackey has been a different pitcher (much better) since the All Star break, going 5-0 with a 3.06 ERA in six starts (Cubs are 6-0). He pitched well enough to win against the Reds last week in Chicago, allowing one run on four hits over six innings, but didn't get a decision (Cubs would win, 7-6). Lackey is 6-5 with a 3.75 ERA in 16 starts against Cincinnati (teams are 9-7). Bailey has had a wild ride the past six weeks, allowing six or more runs and two or fewer runs in an alternating pattern over his last eight outings. He was ripped for six runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings at Chicago on Wednesday (opposite Lackey), so recent history says he's due for a bounce-back performance. Bailey is 8-3 with a 4.66 ERA in 17 starts against the Cubs (Reds are 12-5).

The pick: I'm not buying Bailey's supposed "bounce-back" theory, as while this guy does own a pair of no-hitters in his career, he's nothing more than a journeyman pitcher (64-60 with a 4.45 ERA all-time). His numbers in 2017 are deplorable (heard that phrase lately?), with a 2.04 WHIP and .353 BAA to go along with his unsightly 8.44 ERA. Chicago has won 26 of its past 35 games against Cincinnati, including eight of the past 11 series. Cubs Win! Cubs Win! Make Chicago a 10* play.