Result

MLB Inner Circle Insider - Sunday

Analysis: I'm playing the Chicago Cubs to win on Sunday despite Reds starting pitcher Chase Burns. Burns is great overall at 14-3 with a 2.77 ERA, but he wasn't sharp in his last outing, surrendering five runs and nine hits in just 3 2/3 innings against San Francisco. Burns is also on the verge of setting a career-high in workload, so the Reds may not let him go deep Sunday. Opposing Burns is Shota Imanaga and the Cubs southpaw has a 3.78 ERA while pitching his best baseball over his last few starts before being knocked out early in Seattle. Going into that start, Imanaga had a 2.67 ERA and 1.10 WHIP over his previous 12 outings, so Chicago has a chance to keep Cincinnati at bay. Chicago's offense is really what has me leaning toward them though. The Cubs pounded out 17 runs and 19 hits Saturday as Pete Crow-Armstrong hit three home runs and Carson Kelly, Seiya Suzuki and Alex Bregman were also all deep. Cincinnati is losing games at this point having dropped 10 of its last 15, while Chicago is still alive in the playoff hunt and is 39-28 at home at Wrigley Field. Burns might suppress Chicago early, but the Cubs have a deeper lineup and more talent throughout their batting order. Chicago also has the advantage if it can get Burns out of the game early and face a Cincinnati pitching staff that has a 4.55 team ERA. Jim's Play: 958. Cubs