Cincinnati at Chicago

Chicago is 53-23 at home after Monday's win over the Reds. Jon Lester is 17-4 with a 2.40 ERA and takes the mound tonight and he has not allowed more than two runs in any of his last nine starts. The Cubs have won every one of those outings except for a 1-0 loss to the Dodgers on Aug. 28. Lester is 8-2 at home this season and 3-0 with a microscopic 0.38 ERA overall in September. Lester has given up five runs in 20 2/3 innings versus Cincinnati this year. The Reds are doomed to last place in the NL Central and are 26-46 on the road. Josh Smith is making his first start of the season after pitching 3 2/3 innings in relief against Pittsburgh on Saturday. The Reds likely will use several pitchers in this matchup. Cincy has lost five of its last six games and the Cubs have won 36 of their last 51 overall as they are close to getting home field advantage throughout the NL postseason. Take the Cubs.