The Cubs thought they were awash in starting pitching when the season started. Now, they're in a bit of a scramble.
Manager Lou Piniella made sure his "Big Three" of Ted Lilly, Ryan Dempster and Carlos Zambrano will pitch this weekend against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Lilly did his part Friday by pitching seven innings and allowing just one run in a 3-1 victory. After this weekend, anything is possible in the long run. Right-hander Jason Marquis, who last started May 4 at St. Louis, will open Monday's series at home against the Padres. Right-hander Jon Lieber, who got shelled in Cincinnati on Wednesday, will start Tuesday.
Lieber opened the season in the bullpen, and he pitched effectively in relief. Piniella isn't ready to pull the plug on Lieber as a starter, but if Lieber falters next week, that's what could happen.
The Cubs have left-hander Rich Hill at Class AAA Iowa (Des Moines). Righty Sean Gallagher started all year at Iowa before his call-up when Hill went down. Either is an option if Piniella wants to make further changes.
CUBS 3, DIAMONDBACKS 1: Left-hander Ted Lilly (3-4) enjoyed his fourth straight quality start, working seven innings and giving up three hits and one run. Lilly also tied the game at 1-1 with an RBI single in the fifth, when the Cubs went ahead 2-1. Derrek Lee added insurance in the eighth, when he hit his ninth homer of the season. Kerry Wood earned his sixth save.
