Pete Crow-Armstrong, host Cubs seek to shine in prime time vs. Reds

Chicago Cubs slugger Pete Crow-Armstrong will look to continue to bolster his resume for the 2026 National League MVP award on Sunday night when he takes center stage in a nationally televised game against the visiting Cincinnati Reds.

Crow-Armstrong recorded his first career three-homer performance and drove in six runs during Chicago's 17-5 romp over Cincinnati on Saturday. The victory snapped a three-game skid for the Cubs and evened the three-game series against the Reds at one victory apiece.

Crow-Armstrong raised his team-leading homer total to 36 on the season with a solo shot in the first inning, a two-run blast in the second and a three-run homer in the seventh. And he did so shortly after news circulated that four-time MVP Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers continued to feel discomfort in his left knee coming off his latest bullpen session.

Fans at Wrigley Field weren't shy about sharing their unofficial votes for the award, serenading Crow-Armstrong with chants of "M-V-P! M-V-P!"

Crow-Armstrong told Marquee Sports Network that he was told by a Cubs legend that he was going to enjoy a power surge on Saturday.

"Sammy Sosa told me I was gonna hit 3 and I hit 3. Put that on the record," Crow-Armstrong said.

Said Cubs manager Craig Counsell: "I think Pete's having a wonderful season. It's a lot of fun to watch ... Pete's done a couple things this year that haven't been done in a long time."

Carson Kelly added a three-run homer, Seiya Suzuki had a two-run shot and Alex Bregman also went deep to highlight the Cubs' 19-hit attack.

Cincinnati right-hander Chase Burns (14-3, 2.77 ERA) will look to keep Crow-Armstrong and company in check on Sunday night.

Burns allowed five runs for the second time in four outings on Monday, this time in 3 2/3 innings in a 5-0 loss to the San Francisco Giants.

He shared the plan for him going forward as he heads into the final month of the season.

"This season, making every start and limiting my pitch count and innings, that's huge for my body," Burns said, per Charlie Goldsmith of Charlie's Chalkboard. "That's the plan. Making every start is the biggest thing. I don't need to go out there at the end of September and throw 110 pitches. Make every start if I feel great. Constantly communicate with them."

Burns, 23, will make his first career start versus the Cubs after working 1 1/3 innings in relief against them on Sept. 20 of last season. He allowed one run on three hits in that game.

Chicago left-hander Shota Imanaga (8-9, 3.78) will get the start on Sunday.

Imanaga received his third straight no-decision last Sunday after permitting two runs (one earned) on five hits in two innings against the Seattle Mariners. He threw 72 pitches in the short outing.

He split a pair of decisions versus Cincinnati this season despite yielding just one run in each contest. Imanaga is 2-1 with a 2.48 ERA in five career appearances (all starts) against the Reds.

The third-year MLB pro will need to tread carefully around rookie Sal Stewart, who has gone deep in both games of this series and three times over his last four contests overall.

--Field Level Media