Coins flipped to determine sites in case of ties
PITTSBURGH -- The way things are going, a tie for the National League Central at the end of the season is hardly out of the question.
The Cubs took part in a series of coin flips in case a one-game tiebreaker is needed to extend the regular season and send somebody from the Central to the playoffs.
If the Cubs tie with the Brewers, the tiebreaker game would be at Wrigley Field on Monday, Oct. 1.
If the Cubs and the Cardinals tie, the Cubs would travel to Busch Stadium.
A Brewers-Cardinals tie would be broken in Milwaukee.
If the Cubs, Cardinals and Brewers tie, Major League Baseball would name a Club A, Club B and Club C. Club A would host Club B on Oct. 1, and that winner would host Club C on Tuesday, Oct. 2 to determine the division winner.
The A, B and C designations would be determined by the clubs' record against one another. The Cubs figure to be in good position here. They finished 9-6 against Milwaukee. They're 7-4 against the Cardinals, with five games left to play.
Finishing kick? Cubs manager Lou Piniella has talked all year of the Cubs having one more hot streak left in them. Friday's 6-1 loss to the Pirates was game No. 140 of the season.
"We're getting close," Piniella said. "We need to spurt one more time. We've got a tough little road trip here -- three cities with here, Houston and St. Louis. We've got to hold our own, obviously, on this road trip.
"I don't think there's anything easy down the stretch now. You get yourself in a position like we're in now, every game is so important. These teams that are playing you, first of all they're talented, but important, they're nice and relaxed. What we need to do is just go out there and play hard and play as relaxed as we possibly can and take our chances.
"It's there for us for the taking. Let's hope we get it done."
Continuing with the running metaphor, Piniella concluded: "It's not a marathon anymore. I'm not saying we're in a sprint, but I'll tell you what, when you come around that turn, you're going to see the wire pretty soon."
Confidence in closer: Cubs closer Ryan Dempster was bouncing around the clubhouse as usual Friday, one day after blowing a save and getting a loss in Thursday's tough 7-4 loss to the Dodgers.
"I told Dempster, 'Give me another run like you did, 13 out of 14 (saves), I'll be very happy,' " Lou Piniella said. "(Bob) Howry's done well. So has (Carlos) Marmol."
Against left-handed hitters, Piniella added that he'd likely "lean to" lefty reliever Scott Eyre, who has worked his way back into good graces after a rough first half.
Rothschild away: Pitching coach Larry Rothschild was not with the Cubs on Friday. He was home in Chicago for personal reasons, according to the club. Bullpen coach Lester Strode served as pitching coach.
The (non) quote: Carlos Zambrano starts tonight for the Cubs. It'll be his first start since ripping the Wrigley Field fans and then apologizing earlier this week. Zambrano, who has not won since July 29, declined to talk about the importance of the start.
"No," he said when approached.
Why not?
"I don't want to," he replied.