2011 Schedule Breakdown: April

We are set for part one of our breakdown of the Cubs 2011 schedule. As Cubs fans count down to Opening Day, let us preview the month of April 2011.

VS Pittsburgh Pirates April 1-3
For the first time in years, Opening Day does not fall on a Monday. Major League Baseball has decided to back the start of the season up to Friday instead of the following Monday in order to prevent the World Series from extending into November. Mike Quade's first full season as the manager of the team opens up at Wrigley Field at 1:20 on April the first. All three games in the opening series will be day games.

VS Arizona Diamondbacks April 4-6
The first homestand concludes as the D'backs come to town for a Monday though Wednesday set. The two teams will do battle starting at 1:20 each afternoon. Alan Trammell, now the Arizona bench coach, will make a return trip to Wrigley as will outfielder Xavier Nady, who recently signed with Arizona.

@ Milwaukee Brewers April 8-10
The 'Crew start their opening homestand with a four game series against Atlanta, and then the Cubs home to town on April 8. After an off day on Thursday, the North Siders play their first night game of the year, which starts at 7:10.

@ Houston Astros April 11-13
Three straight night games at Minute Maid Park will take place. The 'Stros are expected to have an improved ballclub that will compete for the division title.

@Colorado Rockies April 15-17
The Cubs will go to the mile high city to cap off the first road trip of the season. The opener starts at 7:40, Saturday's contest gets underway at 7:10 and then the series finale is an afternoon battle.

VS San Diego Padres April 18-20
The first night game at Wrigley of 2011 will finally take place on April 18, a Monday night. The two teams play under the lights again on Tuesday before the series finale Wednesday afternoon.

VS LA Dodgers April 22-24
The nine game homestand continues on Friday as the Dodgers come to town. Lefty Ted Lilly may pitch against his old team for the first time this season. All three contests will take place during the day. The Cubs will try take care of business in this rematch of the 2008 NLDS.

VS Colorado Rockies April 25-27
The Cubs see a lot of the Rockies in the opening month, but then the two clubs don't meet again after April 27. There have been some pretty good battles when they meet over th years, including a thrilling comeback by the Cubs in May of 2008.

@Arizona Diamondbacks April 28-May 1
The Cubs will travel to the West Coast to Chase Field for the first time this season. The first two games are late night games (8:40 CT) and then there is one earlier night game before a 3:10 Sunday finale. The Cubs have never had much luck in Valley of the Sun dating back to their defeat in the 2007 playoffs.