The Chicago Cubs head to T-Mobile Park on Sunday, August 23, for a 4:10 PM ET first pitch against the Seattle Mariners. Shota Imanaga gets the ball for Chicago opposite Seattle's Bryce Miller in what shapes up as a genuine pitching duel. With the Cubs making the trip to the Pacific Northwest during the thick of the regular season, every game in August carries weight. Catch the action on Marquee Sports Network or radio on 104.3 The Score.

Starting Pitchers: Imanaga vs. Miller

Shota Imanaga has been one of the most reliable arms in the Cubs rotation since arriving in Chicago, and he draws a tough assignment at T-Mobile Park — one of the more pitcher-friendly environments in the American League. Imanaga's ability to command multiple pitch types and keep hitters off-balance gives the Cubs a legitimate chance to steal a win on the road.

Bryce Miller is no pushover for Seattle. The right-hander has shown flashes of genuine front-of-the-rotation stuff, and pitching at home in front of the Mariners faithful gives him an edge. If Miller is on, the Cubs lineup will need to be patient and work counts early.

Cubs Lineup to Watch

Chicago sends out a balanced order on Sunday. Pete Crow-Armstrong leads off from center field, with Seiya Suzuki slotting in at two. Michael Busch hits third at first base, and Alex Bregman anchors the cleanup spot at third. Ian Happ follows at five, with Nico Hoerner at six and Pedro Ramírez at seven. Michael Conforto draws the DH role hitting eighth, and Carson Kelly rounds out the order at catcher.

Seattle Lineup to Watch

The Mariners counter with Randy Arozarena leading off in left, Dominic Canzone at DH, and Julio Rodríguez — one of the most dangerous young center fielders in the game — hitting third. Cal Raleigh provides a serious power threat from the four hole, with Josh Naylor at first base rounding out a capable middle of the order. Weston Wilson, Cole Young, Victor Robles, and Leo Rivas fill out the bottom of Seattle's lineup.

Keys to the Game for the Cubs

• Imanaga's command: If Imanaga can establish his off-speed pitches early and keep Julio Rodríguez and Cal Raleigh from doing damage, Chicago stays in this game through six or seven innings.
• Working Miller early: The Cubs' best path to runs is patience at the plate. Getting pitch counts up against Miller in the first few innings opens the door to Seattle's bullpen.
• Bregman and Happ in big spots: The three-four-five combination of Busch, Bregman, and Happ needs to deliver with runners on base. Road wins don't come cheap, and those bats have to produce.
• Limiting Rodríguez: J-Rod is the most dangerous bat in that Seattle lineup. Keeping him off the bases and out of scoring position is a priority from the first pitch.

Prediction

This one has the look of a low-scoring, tightly contested game from start to finish. Imanaga gives the Cubs a real chance every time he toes the rubber, and a Cubs lineup led by Bregman, Happ, and Crow-Armstrong is capable of scratching out enough runs against anyone. The edge goes to Seattle at home with Miller dealing, but don't be surprised if Imanaga outduels him. Call it Mariners 3, Cubs 2 in a game that could go either way into the late innings.