Happy Independence Day! The #Cubs are 116-94-3 (.552) on the Fourth of July...
The Cubs will try to better that record this afternoon at Wrigley Field, with lefthander Ted Lilly facing Reds rookie Mike Leake, who has already defeated the Cubs once this season and who has a 5-1, 3.30 record in his 18 starts, all made without ever pitching in the minor leagues.
Lilly has not faced the Reds in 2010, but he gave them no earned runs in 13 innings in a pair of starts last year; one of those games resulted in a loss. He may have to throw a shutout today to win, as he has the third-worst run support among qualified National League pitchers, 67th of 69; two Pirates pitchers (Ross Ohlendorf and Charlie Morton) trail him.
The game will be televised on WGN-TV and begins at 1:20 Central time.