Dick Mountain is back, and he's older than ever. The Kansas City Royals plan to call up 45-year-old pitcher Rich Hill from the minors for a start against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, marking the left-hander's 21st season in the majors.

BLANKINGS: The Cubs’ 12 shutouts are one more than they had all of last season. They had 13 in 2023, 18 in 2018 and 21 in 2015. They had 22 in 1969, their most in the Live Ball Era. They had more in seven seasons between 1905 and 1918, with a high of 33 in 1907. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)

The Chicago Cubs (60-41) will host the Kansas City Royals (49-53), in the final game of a three-game series, Wednesday at 2:20 p.m. ET. The favored Cubs (-147 moneyline odds to win) play at home against the Royals (+123). The scheduled starters are Colin Rea (8-3) for the Chicago Cubs, and Seth Lugo (6-5) for the Kansas City Royals.