When the 2011 schedule was released last winter, the Cubs probably noted this current trip as one of the toughest of the upcoming season. They were scheduled to face their rivals from St. Louis who are always a challenge, the defending division champion Reds, and the Phillies who many thought had formed one of the best starting rotations of all time. The difficulty of this trip has lived up to its billing as the Cubs have only one two of the first nine games. Things won't get any easier in the series finale.
Doug Davis will take the bump for the Cubs (25-38) on Sunday. Davis has struggled since being signed by the Cubs. He is 0-5 with an ERA of 6.38. The bullpen will need to be ready because in all but one of Davis's starts he hasn't made it past the fifth inning.
Taking the ball for Philadelphia (39-26) will be Roy Oswalt. The Cubs are very familiar with Oswalt because of all his years spent in Houston. Sunday will be the 33rd time that the Cubs will have faced Oswalt. The Cubs have had moderate success against Oswalt. The Phillies right hander is 14-13 in his career against Chicago.
The forecast in Philadelphia at the time of first pitch is temps near 80 degrees under partly cloudy skies. The first pitch is scheduled at 12:35 CST. The game can be seen on WGN.