The most precious commodities on the Cubs right now are the right arms of relievers Bob Howry, Carlos Marmol and Kerry Wood.
Thanks to those three, the Cubs' bullpen has posted an ERA of 3.12 this year, compared with 3.99 for the starters. The biggest challenge facing manager Lou Piniella will be to keep those arms fresh and healthy. Monday's off-day will help. On Sunday, Marmol pitched 1 2/3 innings and Wood earned his 18th save in preserving a 3-1 victory for Jason Marquis.
Howry hasn't worked since last Thursday, so he should be fine. Wood and Marmol worked the Thursday and Sunday games in L.A.
The Cubs will need more quality starts, such as the one Marquis gave them Sunday. They'll also need for relievers Michael Wuertz, Neal Cotts and Scott Eyre to step it up a notch and take some of the load away from the "big three."
