Chicago @ Cincinnati preview

Chi. Cubs at Cincinnati

Last Meeting ( Jul 22, 2015 ) Chi. Cubs 1, Cincinnati 9

The performance of the Chicago Cubs' budding stars has pushed the team into the playoff picture earlier than expected. They'll be on display Wednesday as the Cubs wrap up a four-game series at the Cincinnati Reds with a day-night doubleheader after splitting the first two contests.

The newest addition to Chicago's talented, youthful lineup played hero Tuesday, as rookie catcher Kyle Schwarber delivered a tying home run in the ninth inning and a go-ahead blast in the 13th for a 5-4 victory. While the Cubs are looking to bolster their roster to help strengthen their hold on one of the National League wild-card spots, the Reds appear poised to unload some of their veteran players ahead of next week's non-waiver trading deadline. Cincinnati has lost three of five since the All-Star break and is nine games below .500, matching its low point of the season. The Cubs lead the season series 8-3 and have won three of four at Cincinnati.

TV: 6:10 p.m. ET, ABC 7 (Chicago), FSN Ohio (Cincinnati)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Dallas Beeler (0-0, 3.60 ERA) vs. Reds LH Tony Cingrani (0-3, 3.47)

Beeler will be recalled from Triple-A to make his second spot start of the season for the Cubs. The 26-year-old pitched effectively in his first chance, limiting St. Louis to two runs over five innings in the second game of a doubleheader July 7. Beeler is winless in three career starts, including a loss at Cincinnati last season in which he allowed four runs in five innings.

Cingrani will return from the disabled list to make his first big-league start of the season. The 26-year-old was moved to the bullpen in spring training but has pitched well at Triple-A Louisville while being stretched out to start, giving up only six hits over 14 scoreless innings in four outings. Cingrani is 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA in 10 games (six starts) against the Cubs.

WALK-OFFS

1. Schwarber has recorded four hits twice in 11 major-league games while the rest of Chicago's team has one four-hit game this season.

2. Reds 1B Joey Votto is batting .390 with two homers and five RBIs during an 11-game on-base streak.

3. Cubs RF Jorge Soler is riding a six-game hitting streak, two games shy of his career-long streak earlier this season.

PREDICTION: Reds 6, Cubs 4