Cubs lefty Justin Steele, the NL's ERA leader, owns a 0.52 ERA in three home starts and a 1.50 ERA in day games. He'll look to be the stopper as the Cubs have lost three straight. They also got swept in Miami last weekend, so this is a nice payback spot. Marlins starter Edward Cabrera is struggling with his control, walking nine over his last two starts. Hopefully the Cubs get a boost from the promotion of first-base prospect Matt Mervis. He belted 36 homers in the minors last year, and had six this season at Triple-A Iowa.

The Cubs have been slumping at the plate but a return home Friday should make a big difference as should the MLB debut of top hitting prospect Matt Mervis as he will be called up ahead of the series opener. He should play everyday either at first or DH and likely be at minimum an offensive upgrade on should-be-retired Eric Hosmer, who usually plays one of those two spots. Early NL Cy Young contender Justin Steele (4-0, 1.49) is on the mound for the North Siders.