Cubs prepared for long homestand

MIAMI -- The Cubs were on a slide coming into their 10-game road trip and dropped five of six to the Brewers and Reds, but after taking three of four from the Marlins, who own the worst record in baseball, things might be turning around.

As an added bonus, Chicago gets to head back home to the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field, where it will play 16 of the next 19 games.

"We weathered it I guess as good as we could after playing some really bad ball in Milwaukee," manager Dale Sveum said.

"To win four out of the last six after losing the way we did to Milwaukee was a nice little finish to the road trip. Obviously, we'd love to finish it off, but I'd say it's tough, for some reason, to sweep four games. It just doesn't happen very often."

Beginning Monday, the Cubs will play a four-game series against the Padres, a three-game weekend set with the Reds and a quick two-gamer with the Cardinals -- with a makeup game against the Rangers in between the St. Louis and Cincinnati series.

Then, after getting three road games at Washington, they'll return home for a pair of three-game series with the Rockies and Mets.

"It's always [good]," pitcher Carlos Villanueva said. "Some home cooking always helps. We'll be back there. We have San Diego coming, and I think we'll be ready to do business against them."