Playoff berths. 

MEDICAL WATCH: RHP Carlos Zambrano (right arm fatigue) had his Aug. 

MEDICAL WATCH: RHP Carlos Zambrano (right arm fatigue) had his Aug. 

Most other years, the Cubs' September call-ups could figure on getting good doses of playing time. 

--RHP Carlos Zambrano, scratched from Sunday's scheduled start because of a "dead arm," will start Tuesday night against the Astros. 

Most other years, the Cubs' September call-ups could figure on getting good doses of playing time. 

--RHP Carlos Zambrano, scratched from Sunday's scheduled start because of a "dead arm," will start Tuesday night against the Astros. 

The Chicago Cubs' lead in the NL Central allows them not to panic despite being in the middle of their longest losing streak at Wrigley Field in more than a year. 

Roy Oswalt is pitching like an ace again and the Houston Astros are on a roll headed into the final month of the season. 

Koyie Hill may have been the happiest callup of all when the Chicago Cubs expanded their roster Monday for the final month of the season. 

Chicago Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano was scratched from his scheduled start Sunday against the Philadelphia Phillies to give him extra rest because of a tired arm. 

--C Geovany Soto led the Cubs' attack, such as it was, by going 3-for-4. 

MEDICAL WATCH: RHP Chad Gaudin (sore lower back) was unavailable to pitch on Aug. 

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. 

Jayson Werth hurt the Chicago Cubs again, and Jamie Moyer and the Philadelphia bullpen took over from there.