Key dates on Cubs' schedule

Each year's baseball schedule brings with it intriguing matchups and tough stretches, both at home and on the road.

This year is no different for the Cubs, who face some old friends early and some tough challenges from American League clubs in June.

So mark your calendar with these hot dates, and go online at dailyherald.com to download a printable schedule attached to this story:

April 5, Opening Day:

Ryan Dempster vs. Nationals phenom Stephen Strasburg. One more opener for Dempster against the wave of the future.

April 17-19, at Miami:

Ozzie and Z and Buehrle, oh my. The Cubs' first visit to the Marlins' new ballpark should be an eventful one. Will Guillen have Carlos Zambrano and Mark Buehrle for this short series?

April 23-25, vs. St. Louis:

The Cardinals make their first visit to Wrigley Field. Things won't be the same without Tony La Russa and Albert Pujols.

May 18-20, vs. White Sox:

A Saturday night game at Wrigley should set a, ahem, festive tone. Will either team be worth watching by this point?

June 1-24:

Does anybody have a rougher stretch? June busts out with games at San Francisco, Milwaukee and Minnesota followed by a homestand against the Tigers and the Red Sox. Then, the Cubs visit the White Sox and the Diamondbacks. How will they come out of it?

July 17-19, vs. Miami:

Ozzie Guillen probably won't like Wrigley Field any better as Marlins manager. Will Big Z get a start against the Cubs?

Oct. 1-3, vs. Houston:

This is the Cubs' last series against Houston before the Astros move to the AL. From the Colt .45s to the Astrodome to Enron to the Juice Box, it's been quite a rivalry.