--After sending RHP Ryan Dempster, RHP Carlos Zambrano and LHP Ted Lilly against the Reds beginning Tuesday, the Cubs will lead up to the All-Star break with RHP Jason Marquis, LHP Sean Marshall and Dempster against the Giants. Marquis' most recent start was July 1 at San Francisco.
--C Geovany Soto's 15 home runs are the most by a Cubs rookie since Mel Hall had 17 in 1983. Soto is the starting catcher for the NL All-Star team. --The Cubs are keeping a close eye on LHP Rich Hill, currently trying to regain his command in the Arizona Rookie League. Hill opened the season as the No. 4 starter before being demoted to Class AAA Iowa (Des Moines) in early May. He continued to struggle at Iowa, and the Cubs sent him to their spring facility in Mesa, Ariz. On Sunday, Hill worked four innings and gave up one hit while walking one and striking out six. The Cubs are putting no timetable on a possible return to the big leagues for Hill.
--SS Ryan Theriot appears over the thumb problems that cost him time at the beginning of the just-concluded 10-game road trip. Theriot was 6-for-14 in the weekend series at St. Louis. Theriot has his OBP back up to .390. With RF Kosuke Fukudome not starting Sunday, Theriot returned to the No. 2 spot in the lineup. Theriot has been batting eighth, with Fukudome second, in recent games.
--RHP Carlos Marmol turned in two scoreless appearances over the weekend in St. Louis after being shelled last week in San Francisco. Most encouraging for the Cubs is that Marmol walked no one against the Cardinals after having issues with his command.
BY THE NUMBERS: 7 -- The Cubs are sending a club-record seven players to the All-Star Game. Their previous high was six, in 1988 and 1936.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think you focus on winning your division. You win your division, you're in. I wouldn't want to count on the wild card. Win the division and you're in the derby." -- Manager Lou Piniella, on getting to the postseason.
