Game Thirty-Five: Cubs (19-15) vs. Diamondbacks (23-12)
Game Time - 1:20pm C.T.
Coverage - TV: WGN - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 183
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago

Ted Lilly (2-4, 5.97/1.41) vs. Dan Haren (4-1, 3.12/0.99)

Updated - 11:41am C.T. - Scott Eyre Activated - Sean Marshall Optioned to Triple-A

The Cubs start their longest homestand of the year today with the first of three against the best team in the National League. After posting a 17-10 record in April, the Cubs have won only twice in seven games to start the new month. The last time the Diamondbacks were in Chicago they completed a 3-game sweep of Lou Piniella's crew that unceremoniously ended the 2007 campaign. While the Cubs have appeared flat and out of sync for the last two weeks, if they are not fired up for this weekend's series....Lou has more problems on his hands than anyone realizes.

Piniella will send his top three pitchers to the mound this weekend and the Cubs' offense will face a test today in Dan Haren. This is a big series for the Cubs, after the way they played against the Diamondbacks last year, both in the regular season and in the playoffs. Dave Kaplan called this weekend 'gut check' time for the Cubs....and if Lou's crew wants to be the best, they first have to beat the best.