Right-hander Kyle Hendricks (10-4, 3.98) will make his team-high-tying 17th start of the 2021 season, and eighth on the road in the series finale. It will be his first this season against Cincinnati. Hendricks has allowed a major league-leading 20 homers but owns a 2.64 ERA (17 ER/58.0 IP) since May 16.
Sunday will mark his 20th career start against the Reds, his 11th in Cincinnati. He is 6-5 with a 4.39 ERA lifetime, including 2-5 with a 6.67 ERA in Cincinnati. He has allowed five runs or more in his last three starts in Cincinnati dating to Aug. 10, 2019, going 0-3 with a 12.46 ERA during that span.
The Reds counter with lefty Wade Miley (6-4, 3.09). Sunday will make his seventh start since a 10-day stint on the injured list with a left foot sprain. In six starts since coming off the 10-day IL, Miley is 2-0, 2.61. Reds batters scored at least 10 runs in five of his starts, including three of his last four starts, with the Reds going 5-0 in those starts.
This will be Miley's second start against the Cubs this season, earning the win in Cincinnati's 8-6 win on April 30, going five innings, allowing five hits and two runs, striking out three and walking two. In 12 career starts against the Cubs, Miley is 7-4 with a 4.44 ERA.