This round of the City Series arrives as the July 31 trade deadline nears. The Cubs are in a position to buy while the White Sox will be looking to sell.

Two and a half years ago, the Cubs signaled that the rebuild was over and they were getting serious about winning by signing Swanson to a seven-year deal worth $177 million.

Swanson understands the expectations, and he knows what it takes after winning the 2021 World Series with the Atlanta Braves.

Dansby Swanson snags a liner and dives to tag Freddy Fermin for the double play, as a Cubs' challenge overturns the safe call on the field

A fan wearing an “MVPCA” shirt, in a nod to Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, reached over the railing and let the ball slip through his waving arms. It hit the railing over the yellow stripe at the top of the wall, out of Tauchman’s reach, for the first run of the game.

My Royals vs. Cubs predictions expect them to be reliant on the bats again Monday, with Dansby Swanson a prime candidate to step up against lefty Noah Cameron. Let’s take a closer look at my July 21 MLB picks.