The Cubs have juggled their rotation once again for this weekend's series at Florida.
After deciding on lefty Sean Marshall over righty Jeff Samardzija for Sunday's game, manager Lou Piniella said Marshall would start Saturday, and righty Ryan Dempster would go Sunday. Dempster headed back to Chicago on Thursday night to tend to a personal matter.
The Cubs needed a spot start because of Tuesday's rainout in Atlanta. Marshall has started three games for the Cubs this year and appeared in 20 others as a reliever. He started 19 games for the Cubs last year and 24 in 2006. Marshall, who turns 26 on Aug. 30, also spent time this year at Class AAA Iowa as a starter.
Marshall threw an inning of relief Wednesday. He said he threw plenty of pitches warming up and that he'd have the necessary arm strength to start Saturday.
"Marshall's pitched well," Piniella said. "He's got a nice, fresh arm. I like him. I really do. He could be in our rotation. I'd be very comfortable with it. His curveball's really improved. He's done a nice job."
CUBS 11, BRAVES 7: Aramis Ramirez hit a three-run homer and Alfonso Soriano hit a two-run blast as the Cubs swept the three-game series, outscoring Atlanta 29-9. LHP Ted Lilly worked six innings, giving up eight hits and four runs. RHP Bob Howry gave up a three-run homer to the Braves' Jeff Francoeur in the seventh. Carlos Marmol and Kerry Wood finished.
