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(Sports Network) - Southpaw Scott Kazmir tries to regain his winning ways for Tampa Bay tonight, when the surprising Rays entertain the major league's pacesetters - the Chicago Cubs - in the opening test of a three-game interleague series at Tropicana Field.

This series also marks the return to Tampa for manager Lou Piniella, who managed the Rays from 2002-2005. It was Piniella who guided the club to a team-record 70 wins back in 2004, a mark the current club is threatening to shatter.

Kazmir, meanwhile, was hampered by injuries in spring training and didn't make his 2008 debut until May 4, when he dropped a 7-3 decision to the Boston Red Sox.

He subsequently reeled off six consecutive wins while allowing just four runs in 41 innings, before he fell, 4-2, to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on June 11.

Kazmir, who's 4-0 at home this season, has never faced the Cubs.

Chicago right-hander Ryan Dempster faces the Rays for the eighth time in his career.

The 31-year-old Canadian, a third-round pick of the Texas Rangers in 1995, is 3-4 in seven previous meetings with Tampa Bay, posting a 4.50 earned run average in 46 innings.

He's gone 3-0 with a no-decision in four starts since his last 2008 loss, which came via 4-2 verdict to Houston on May 20.

He's subsequently topped the Los Angeles Dodgers, Colorado and Atlanta and has given up 19 hits and nine runs in 26 1/3 innings.

His last started resulted in his first career complete game, beating the Braves, 7-2, after allowing four hits and two runs in nine innings while racking up 11 strikeouts.

On Sunday in Toronto, Ted Lilly silenced the opposition bats over six shutout innings and the Cubs clinched a series win over the Blue Jays, 7-4, in the finale of a three-game interleague series.

Lilly (7-5) allowed only one hit, while fanning six and walking five, including three in a rocky third inning, but the left-hander settled down to earn his second straight victory.

Derrek Lee had two hits and three runs batted in and Aramis Ramirez hit a two- run homer. Jim Edmonds and Kosuke Fukudome each added RBI singles for Chicago, which has won six of its last seven.

In St. Petersburg, Wes Helms and Mike Jacobs each belted three-run homers, as Florida avoided a three-game sweep with a 9-3 victory over Tampa Bay.

Rays starter Edwin Jackson (4-6) continued his struggles against the Marlins.

He dropped to 0-3 lifetime against Florida after pitching five innings and giving up six runs on five hits with three walks.

Chicago took two of three at Wrigley Field the last time these teams met back in 2003.