Cubs hope off-day rejuvenates offense
There's no denying the effect losing has on a baseball team, but, as the Cubs can attest, even winning can take a toll.
Though the Cubs went 7-3 on their just-completed homestand, they showed signs of fatigue during the weekend.
Playing without No. 3 hitter Derrek Lee, the Cubs combined for just 8 hits Saturday and Sunday. Aside from a 3-run eighth inning Friday, the Cubs produced just 5 runs and 13 hits in the series.
And after finally restoring the pitching staff to its full 12-man complement, the Cubs saw Carlos Marmol and Bob Howry allow runs in consecutive losses.
An off-day Monday, needless to say, came at the perfect time.
Lee returns to the lineup tonight in St. Louis and Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano goes for his 13th victory against Kip Wells (4-12), who is tied for most losses in the majors.
"We need a couple of these guys to get hot again," manager Lou Piniella said. "Getting Lee (back) is big for us."
Leadoff man Alfonso Soriano has just 1 hit in his last 11 at-bats, and Mark DeRosa went hitless in the Diamondbacks series after boosting his batting average to .296.
"I'm not worried about it," Soriano said Sunday. "It's good I have a day off, clear my mind and come back (tonight) to do what I'm supposed to do."
The off-day didn't alter the Cubs' starting rotation, and Piniella hopes Ryan Dempster's return solidifies his bullpen configuration. Howry got a day off Sunday after allowing the game-winning home run a day earlier.
Marmol won't pitch tonight, and Piniella said veteran left-hander Scott Eyre, who worked a scoreless inning Sunday, could be used more in the seventh and eighth innings.
"That's a positive for us because we've been pitching predominantly right-handed for a long time and it's probably starting to show a little bit," Piniella said.
Home run: Hours after Lou Piniella's dirt-kicking tirade June 2, the Cubs fell to 10-17 at Wrigley Field, giving them the second-lowest home winning percentage in the National League (.370). Since then, the Cubs have won 17 of 24 at Wrigley.
The upturn bodes well for the Cubs, who host the Phillies, Mets and division-leading Brewers in the crucial month of August.
"The 10th man is the fans," right fielder Cliff Floyd said. "They're just giving you love, and when you're at home, you need that. And in return, you want to give them good baseball. For the last 25 games or so, we've been giving them pretty good baseball."
Miller time: Cubs right-hander Wade Miller will make a rehab start Wednesday for Class AA Tennessee. Miller, who has a 10.54 ERA in 3 starts for the Cubs this season, was placed on the disabled list April 23 with back spasms.
He started a game for Tennessee in May and also threw 3 innings for Class AAA Iowa on June 20.
Start the bidding: Mark Cuban has some company.
According to a Reuters report, approximately 15 groups have expressed "credible interest" in buying the Cubs. A deal for the club could eclipse $1 billion.
Cuban, the Dallas Mavericks owner, recently submitted an application to purchase the club.
Scouting report
Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium
TV: Comcast SportsNet today and Thursday, Channel 9 on Wednesday
Radio: WGN 720-AM
Pitching matchups: The Cubs' Carlos Zambrano (12-7) vs. Kip Wells (4-12) today; Ted Lilly (10-4) vs. Adam Wainwright (9-7) Wednesday; Jason Marquis (7-5) vs. Braden Looper (7-8) Thursday. All games 7:10 p.m.
At a glance: First baseman Derrek Lee returns from a five-game suspension as the Cubs' offense tries to recharge against the Cardinals, who have the third-highest team ERA (4.80) in the NL. Lee is batting .400 in his last seven games. The Cardinals open a critical seven-game homestand that likely will determine if they are buyers or sellers come the trade deadline. The teams split two games at Busch Stadium in April before the finale was postponed because of the death of Cardinals pitcher Josh Hancock.
Who's hot/not: Cubs right-hander Carlos Zambrano has won 7 of his last 9 decisions and owns a 7-2 record in 10 road starts. Cardinals right-hander Braden Looper has allowed 6 or more runs in 4 of his last 8 starts.
Next: Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park, Friday-Sunday
-- Adam Rittenberg