The return of Aramis Ramirez and the first regular-season game pitting Chicago Cubs manager Dale Sveum against his former team share top billing Monday night at Wrigley Field.

Of course, the Cubs and Brewers already have met a few times in spring training, where Ryan Dempster buzzed Ramirez with the first pitch Ramirez saw from his former teammate.

Monday night will provide a little more intensity.

"These games count," Sveum said. "If you put the scouting reports together, in spring training, there's 3-4 of the guys in the lineup. It's completely different. You see everybody. The adrenalin is the same, but it's different than spring training."

Another storyline is the first game at Wrigley for Ryan Braun since his suspension for allegedly using a banned substance was  overturned.

Sveum said he last spoke to Braun about his MVP award, and never spoke to him "about all the other stuff going on."

What kind of reaction will Braun get from Cubs fans?

"I'm sure it won't be very good, just like any time," Sveum said.

Chris Volstad makes his Cubs debut, with a stiff wind blowing from west to east, aiding left-handed hitters. 

Carlos Marmol, who has pitched in all three Cubs games, is available again.

"Marmol is OK today," Sveum said. "He's fine."

Here's the lineup against Shaun Marcum:

DeJesus RF

Barney 2B

Castro SS

Soriano LF

Stewart 3B

LaHair 1B

Soto C

Byrd CF

Volstad P

psullivan@tribune.com