The Cubs won't go with a six-man rotation, exactly, in September, but they will take advantage of off-days in the schedule to give each of their starters a break now and then.
It all began Sunday, when the Cubs scratched right-hander Carlos Zambrano and replaced him with left-hander Sean Marshall. Zambrano, who has a "dead arm" or "tired arm," will pitch Tuesday against Houston. Both Zambrano and right-hander Rich Harden have dealt with shoulder issues this year, and Harden will get at least 11 days rest as he won't start until Sept. 9, at the earliest, in St. Louis.
Manager Lou Piniella said it's not out of the question that Marshall could pick up a start or two down the line. Marshall has started five times for the Cubs this year, and he has a pair of quality starts. In addition, the Cubs will use off-days in the remaining schedule to give all of their starters an extra day.
On top of that, right-hander Ryan Dempster is in his first year back as a starter after three years as closer, and Piniella said he would "shorten him up" his next time out.
The unspoken word is that shuffling the rotation will allow Piniella to arrange his rotation for the playoffs in the likely event the Cubs make it. Zambrano has been the undisputed ace of the staff the past several years, but with a poor August, Zambrano may lose that title in the playoffs to Harden or Dempster and find himself the No. 3 starter in the postseason.
PHILLIES 5, CUBS 3: The Cubs managed no-extra base hits and 11 singles Sunday, marking the second straight game with no extra-base hits. LHP Sean Marshall, getting a spot start in place of RHP Carlos Zambrano, worked 5 1/3 innings, giving up nine hits and five runs. C Geovany Soto went 3-for-4. The Cubs left 10 on base and were 3-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
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