Monday update -- Cubs take 2 of 3 in Toronto

Results: Cubs 6, Blue Jays 2 on Saturday. Cubs 7, Jays 4 on Sunday. Cubs lead the NL Central by 3.5 games over St. Louis with a MLB-best record of 45-25. St. Louis kept pace by taking the final two from Philly, though it lost Yadier Molina for a while in a nasty collision at home plate.

What happened: Saturday -- Jason Marquis put forth his second straight spectacular start, outdueling Roy Halladay, who is one of the most durable starters in MLB, yet only got through five innings. Former Jay Reed Johnson clubbed the big blow, a three-run homer in the Cubs' second inning.

Sunday -- It was Ted Lilly's turn for a quality start. The former Toronto lefty went six innings, allowing just one hit, walking five and striking out six. The Cubs scored three in the third, and blew it open with a 4-run 7th, capped by Aramis Ramirez's two-run homer.

The games turned when: Both Cubs starters put up a string of zeros. Toronto had been one of the best pitching teams -- particularly its starters -- all season, and the back-end of the Cub's rotation outperformed them.

Up next: Cubs at Tampa Bay, 6 p.m. Lou Piniella returns to the one city where he failed to have success as a manager. Now, the Rays are thriving with a bevy of young talent under manager Joe Maddon. Ryan Dempster vs. Scott Kazmir in a pitching matchup of two certain all-stars.