All systems are go for right-hander Carlos Zambrano to start Friday's series opener at St. Louis.
Manager Lou Piniella said Zambrano threw before Tuesday's game in San Francisco and "threw very well." With that comes another juggling of the rotation. After Zambrano, the Cubs will go with left-handers Sean Marshall and Ted Lilly in the Saturday and Sunday games at St. Louis. That bumps right-hander Jason Marquis into next week's home series against the Reds.
Piniella reasons that the Cardinals entered Tuesday 33-22 against right-handed pitching and 15-14 against lefties.
When Zambrano returns, it's not certain whether Marshall or right-hander Sean Gallagher will go to the bullpen. Piniella says he likes the way both have thrown.
GIANTS 2, CUBS 1: The Cubs managed two hits off Giants starter Matt Cain and three off closer Brian Wilson as a ninth-inning comeback fell short. Derrek Lee led off the ninth with a triple and came home on Geovany Soto's single.
Jason Marquis started and worked seven innings, giving up four hits and both runs.
