Wednesday, December 22, 2010

2011 Schedule Breakdown: May

May 2-4 @ LA Dodgers
The Cubs start the month of May on the West coast. After concluding the Arizona set on Sunday afternoon, they travel to Los Angeles where they play two night games and one day game. Both games that are under the lights start at 9:10 CT.

May 6-8 VS Cincinnati Reds
Mike Quade's crew starts a stretch of ten straight home games with a three game weekend series against the defending NL Central champions. If the Cubs want to hand around with the top dogs in the division standings, they must win the head-to-head matchups. Should be an exciting early season set as Dusty Baker brings his team to town.

May 10-12 VS St. Louis Cardinals
After the second off day in a six day stretch takes place on Monday, the refreshed Cubs welcome the Cardinals to town starting Tuesday night. The Cards have one of the strongest pitching staffs in the league with Wainwright, Carpenter and Garcia.

May 13-15 VS San Francisco Giants
The 2010 World Series champions will battle the Cubbies for the first time since winning the title. Former Cub Mike Fontenot will enjoy a return trip to the Windy City in which he can show off his ring.

May 16-17 @Cincinatti Reds
In one of the odd two game series, the Cubs will meet the Reds at Great American Ballpark. The Cubs have a strange week as they visit three different cities in a five day span after leaving Chicago on Sunday.

May 18-19 @Florida Marlins
Another two game road set for the Cubs as the North Siders head to Florida, where they have always struggled. The fish will look to bounce back after finishing third in the NL East last season.

May 20-22 @Boston Red Sox
The first interleague series of the year is a big one for the Cubs, as they make their first trip to historic Fenway Park. The game times of all three contests are still TBD because they will wait for decisions from national TV folks at FOX and ESPN. This series will get a lot of coverage and the Cubs could be featured on ESPN's Sunday night game for the first time this season. Boston has already put together an impressive offseason by adding Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford to its lineup.

May 24-26 VS New York Mets
The Cubbies return home and to National League play. There will be night games on Tuesday and Wednesday and then a 1:20 start as the series wraps up on Thursday. The Cubs will look to avoid a letdown after the huge set with the Bo-Sox.

May 27-29 VS Pittsburgh Pirates
The Bucs will make their second trip to the Friend Confines for a battle between two clubs under first year skippers. Clint Hurdle is looking to lead the Pirates out of the basement in the NL Central, while Quade tries to improve on his team's fifth place finish from 2010.

May 30-June 1 VS Houston Astros
The Astros, who are expected to have an improve club, will come to Wrigley Field for the first time this season. Games against teams like the Pirates, Astros and Brewers will be key for the Cubs if they hope to compete.

No comments:

Post a Comment