Schedule Breakdown: September

September 2-4 VS Pittsburgh Pirates
With expanded rosters after September call-ups, the Cubs and Pirates will start the final month with a three game series. In 2010, the Cubs dropped 10 of the 15 meetings against the Bucs to lose the season series for the first time since 2006. The Cubs will look to secure a season series win by taking the final three meetings of the year between the two '10 bottom dwellers..

September 5-7 VS Cincinnati Reds
This series could be a huge September matchup between two clubs battling for the division. Or it could be a meaningless battle between two teams out of the hunt. Time will tell.

September 9-11 @New York Mets
The Cubs will visit Ron Santo's least favorite city for a three game weekend matchup at Citi Field. There will be a 9/11 game in New York on the 10th anniversary of the horrific bombings in 2001. Expect a special ceremony on the field before the game to remember those that we lost.

September 12-15 @Cincinnati Reds
Seven games in the final month against the defending division champs always has potential for some excitement. Even if the Cubbies find themselves out of the race, they could be playing the role of spoilers during this four game series. The Cubs will seek a season series win after dropping 12 of the 16 meetings in 2010.

September 16-18 VS Houston Astros
The final homestand of the season kicks off as the 'Stros come to town. Fans will soak up the final weekend games of the year at Wrigley in the sun as the series features three straight day games. The Cubs will hope they can improve on their 313-362 all time head-to-head record against Houston in 2011.

September 19-21 VS Milwaukee Brewers
The final games at Wrigley this season take place with a Monday though Wednesday series against the 'Crew. Perhaps the Cubs will have punched their ticket into the postseason, but otherwise fans will get a final look at their favorite Cubs players before another long winter. Wednesday's Wrigley finale will take place at 1:20 after 7:05 starts on Monday and Tuesday.

September 23-25 @St. Louis Cardinals
The Cubs and Cards have one more big series for the 2011 season. Maybe the division title will be on the line for one or both of these clubs. Friday will feature a night game before two day games round out the weekend and the season set.

September 26-28 @San Diego Padres
The Cubs went to San Diego to start the final road trip in 2010 and this time around the journey ends out on the West Coast. The start times for all three games are still TBD. For the first time in a long time, the final game of the season will be in the middle of the week instead of on a Sunday. With the new schedule structure, the season starts on a Friday and ends on a Wednesday.