Open Thread: Cubs vs. Marlins, Wednesday 5/30, 7:05 CT

A few days ago, I was looking at the rest of the schedule for May, hoping the Cubs could finish with a winning month.

Now, I -- and you, presumably -- are reduced to hoping they can win today, the last day of the month, which would bring them to 13-14 for the month. So, there's not much more to say than: MUST. WIN. TONIGHT.

A win tonight, in addition to everything else, would even the all-time Cubs/Marlins regular season series at 62 wins each. And in case you care, Scott Eyre is 35 today.

Today's Starting Pitchers

T. Lilly Cubs vs. S. Mitre Marlins 4-2 W-L 2-2 3.20 ERA 1.89 56 SO 31 14 BB 9 4 HR 3 vs. Fla -- vs. Cubs

Lilly is coming off his worst start of the year, but overall, he has been the Cubs' most consistent starter. He hasn't faced the Marlins in four years (in this interleague matchup while he was with Oakland), and given the fact that Florida has no one left from that team except Dontrelle Willis, who threw yesterday, and Miguel Cabrera, who was still two weeks from his major league debut the day Lilly faced him, he's really never faced anyone on this team -- well, except Miguel Olivo, who's 4-for-5 against him.

Sergio Mitre. I pronounce myself stunned that he's done as well as he has so far this season. At 26 this was the make-or-break year for him, and so far, he's making it. If you remember him from his Cub days, he's got a decent curveball, but a hittable fastball. He's never faced the Cubs; Mark DeRosa (0-for-4) is the only current Cub who has more than two career AB vs. Sergio. Oh -- nice photo, pal.

It's warm and humid today -- 85 degrees -- and that, often, is a portent of a big HR day. But if recent events are any indication, the Cubs won't homer today. 15 of their last 19 HR are off lefthanders. OTOH, as opposed to last year, the Cubs, at this writing, have outhomered their opponents at Wrigley Field, though only by 23-22.

This game is on WGN -- let's break into a chorus of "We're Bad, We're Nationwide". Or, just try the Mediacenter.

MLB.com Gameday (2007 version)

MLB.com Gameday (2006 version)

Discuss amongst yourselves.