Reds @ Cubs

Who will WIN this matchup?

Cincinnati Reds (60-96)

@ Chicago Cubs (70-86)

Starting Pitchers:

Ashcraft (CIN): 5-4; 4.18 ERA

Sampson (CHC) 3-5; 3.23 ERA

Current odds:

Cincinnati Reds: (+138)

Chicago Cubs: (-161)

• The starting line-up for the Reds is as follows:

• The starting line-up for the Cubs is as follows:

• All the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds will know in the final stretch of the season is each other. Entering a six-game, home-and-home series, the Cubs will aim for their fifth straight victory while trying to hand the visiting Reds a fourth consecutive loss on Friday. Chicago (70-86) and Cincinnati (60-96) want to finish disappointing seasons on strong notes. The Cubs, 7-6 in the season series, will host three this weekend before heading to Cincinnati for the final three.

• The Cubs dealt a severe blow to the visiting Philadelphia Phillies’ postseason hopes with a three-game sweep this week. Chicago has won eight of its past nine and is 12-4 since Sept. 12.

• Cincinnati, meanwhile, is mired in a 4-16 stretch and was swept in a three-game series at Pittsburgh to start the week. The Reds are trying to avoid the second 100-loss season in the storied franchise’s history. Cincinnati went 61-101 in 1982.

• Fraley, who clubbed a tying homer in the ninth inning Wednesday during the Reds’ 4-3, 10-inning loss to the Pirates, is 8-for-19 (.421) with two doubles and a home run against Chicago this season. He is 4-for-5 with a double against scheduled Cubs starter Adrian Sampson (3-5, 3.23 ERA), who is 2-1 with a sparkling 1.55 ERA in five September starts.

• Sampson allowed a solo homer and three other hits over six innings in an 8-3 victory at Pittsburgh on Sunday. The right-hander continues to make his case for a roster spot, or perhaps rotation spot, with the Cubs in 2023. Sampson has allowed three runs and 11 hits over 10 innings covering two starts against the Reds this year. Cincinnati’s Kyle Farmer and Jonathan India are a combined 5-for-9 against him.

• Meanwhile, Cincinnati’s Graham Ashcraft (5-4, 4.18 ERA) is set to make his second start after missing more than a month due to biceps soreness. The rookie right-hander began with three scoreless innings but allowed four runs in his fourth and final frame during a 10-2 loss against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday. Ashcraft yielded eight hits in that contest. He has given up 11 runs, 13 hits and five walks over 8 2/3 innings while going 0-2 against the Cubs in 2022. Ashcraft yielded a grand slam to Patrick Wisdom during Chicago’s 15-7 home win on June 30. The Cubs’ Franmil Reyes also went deep vs. Ashcraft, while Reyes, Happ, Wisdom, P.J. Higgins and Christopher Morel are a combined 10-for-16 against him.

• Wisdom is 7-for-18 (.389) with three homers and eight RBIs in his past four games vs. Cincinnati.