2011 Schedule Breakdown: July

July 1-3 VS Chicago White Sox
The month opens up with Part II of the Crosstown Showdown as the venue shifts to Wrigley Field. This time around it will be a weekend series. Friday's game will start at 1:20, Saturday's at 2:55 and Sunday's start time is TBD. The Cubs/Sox set will take place in July for the first time since 2006. The Cubs close out interleague play with Sunday's series finale.

July 4-7 @Washington Nationals
The Cubs will make a perfectly time trip to our nation's capital as America's celebrates its Independence. The holiday week series will be a four-gamer, running Monday through Thursday. The game time for Monday (the 4th of July) has not yet been announced, but night games will be played Tuesday through Thursday.

July 8-10 @Pittsburgh Pirates
The trip continues as the Cubs go to PNC Park for the final series of the first half. A pair of 6:05 starts kick-off the series before Sunday's 12:35 first pitch. After Sunday's game, many of the Cubs will travel to their homes to enjoy three days with their families. Others will got to Phoenix, which is the site of the 2011 All-Star Game. The home run derby will take place at Chase Field on Monday with the Mid Summer Classic on Tuesday.

July 14-17 VS Florida Marlins
A nice long homestand will begin the Cubs post All-Star break run. The Cubs hope to get it started on the right foot with a series victory against the Marlins. The Fish are 74-73 all time against the Cubbies.

July 18-20 VS Philadelphia Phillies
Tickets for this series will be a hot commodity even though it is not slated for a weekend. Fans will get their money's worth as they see the Boys in Blue battle one of the top dogs of the National League. Monday night's game will be on ESPN, while Wednesday is the only day contest of the set.

July 22-24 VS Houston Astros
There is nothing like a nice long stay in Chicago tacked on after the All-Star break. A winning record during that ten game stretch is a must, and the Cubs will likely have to prevail against the 'Stros to obtain that plus-.500 mark. They will be well rested for the series after the first day off of the second half on Thursday.

July 26-28 @Milwaukee Brewers
The Cubs hit the road for the first time in the second half, but they will not have to board a plane just yet. After the bus ride down to Miller Park they will look to pull out a series win against an evenly matched division foe.

July 29-31 @St. Louis Cardinals
Rumors will be flying as the Cubs fly to St. Louis. On the final weekend before the popular trade deadline, the Cubs may be in a position where they are looking to improve, or they could be sellers once again. Will the Cubs be welcoming a new players to the team? Will they be biding farewell to a teammate? Or will trader Jim stand pat? Let's not forget that no matter what, there are bragging rights at stake on the field because it's Cubs VS Cardinals!