Jeff Keppinger found a quick way to endear himself to his new team: He won a game in his first at-bat. 

An Illinois official who was negotiating a deal to help renovate Wrigley Field says the talks stalled even before the former governor's arrest on corruption charges. 

LAKELAND, Fla. 

The Cubs got through spring training relatively unscathed from a health standpoint, but manager Lou Piniella was eager to see his regular-season lineup intact after getting C Geovany Soto and CF Kosuke Fukudome back from the World Baseball Classic. 

Maybe it's a new Carlos Zambrano. 

--RHPs Angel Guzman and David Patton made the Cubs' bullpen. 

After four seasons working out of the bullpen, Ryan Dempster enjoyed a career year as a starter for the Chicago Cubs in 2008. 

Carlos Zambrano put his opening-day jitters behind him. 

Carlos Zambrano pitched into the seventh inning to get his first opening-day win in five chances, leading the Chicago Cubs to a 4-2 victory over the Houston Astros on Monday night. 

TIM COWLISHAW 

 

No one expected the Rays to reach the World Series last year. 

No. 

The last time Carlos Zambrano faced the Houston Astros, he pitched a no-hitter against them. 

The last time Carlos Zambrano faced the Houston Astros, he pitched a no-hitter against them.