--The Cubs have lost nine of their last 13 games after a stretch in which they won nine of 10.

--LHP Ted Lilly is 0-2 with a 3.38 ERA in four regular-season appearances against the Arizona Diamondbacks, who visit Wrigley Field this weekend. The D-backs also beat Lilly in Game 2 of last year's NL Division Series. Lilly is 2-1 with a 2.84 ERA over his last three starts. He says the arm-strength problems that bothered him early are going away and that he's spotting his pitches better, as well.

--LHP Scott Eyre is scheduled to come off the disabled list Saturday. He has been out all the season because of a bone chip in his pitching elbow. Contrary to what manager Lou Piniella said earlier this week, the Cubs won't carry 13 pitchers when Eyre comes back. Most likely, they'll send RHP Sean Gallagher back to Class AAA Iowa. Gallagher came up last Saturday when the Cubs optioned out LHP Rich Hill. Although Gallagher is one option to start a game next week, Piniella likely will give RHP Jon Lieber at least one more start, despite Lieber getting shelled in Wednesday's 9-0 loss at Cincinnati.

--RHP Kerry Wood has added a "backup slider" to his repertoire. Wood had been experimenting with the pitch in spring training, but he found a new grip on the pitch earlier this week. The ball moves in on right-handed batters. Wood got a called third strike on the Reds' Edwin Encarnacion with the backup slider earlier this week.

BY THE NUMBERS: 14 -- The Cubs entered the week having loaded the bases in 14 straight games. It's a reflection of a more patient approach at the plate, which is leading to more walks and a higher team on-base percentage.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We just need to sort some things out and work some of our kinks out, and we're going to be fine." -- Manager Lou Piniella, on fan and media anxiety in Chicago.