Piniella just might give Hart a start
PITTSBURGH -- In the Cubs' game of rotation roulette, rookie Kevin Hart's number may come up a winner.
With Monday's off-day wiped out by a makeup game and the Cubs playing a doubleheader Saturday in St. Louis, there may be a start for Hart, who joined the team from Class AA Tennessee last week after pitching for both Tennessee and Class AAA Iowa this season.
"I like this kid. He's got a nice arm," manager Lou Piniella said. "He competes well. He's got a good arm, a good cut fastball, a nice little breaking ball. He could be a possibility for the last game in Houston, if we choose."
Steve Trachsel pitches today against the Pirates, and Ted Lilly goes in Monday's makeup game against the Cardinals at Wrigley Field.
After that, the Cubs go to Houston for three, with Jason Marquis and Rich Hill the likely starters Tuesday and Wednesday. The Cubs could start Carlos Zambrano in Thursday's finale at Minute Maid Park, but they may save him for Friday's series opener in St. Louis.
That leaves Thursday. The Cubs could bring Trachsel back on short rest, or they could go with Hart.
They'll go with lefties Lilly and Sean Marshall in Saturday's day-night doubleheader against the Cardinals and Marquis in Sunday's finale.
Marshall has not pitched since Aug. 31. Piniella hopes to get him relief work before Saturday.
"The problem is we haven't needed a long reliever," Piniella said. "But more important than that, I've got to start him an inning. I can't get him into the middle of an inning. It takes him a little longer to get ready.
"We've freshened up his arm, which is good. We need to get him a little work."
Dealing with it: Lou Piniella was visibly upset Friday night after the 6-1 loss to the Pirates. That doesn't mean he let it linger.
"They're not too long," he said of nights like Friday. "I went over and had a couple cold beers and went to bed. That was it. What can you do? You try. You can't get too experimental at this time of year. You better stay fairly constant. That's exactly what we're doing.
"Let's hope it starts to come together at the right time for us. I've maintained all along that we had one more hot streak in us."
Piniella might go with something stronger than just hope.
"I tell you what," he said. "I'm starting to go to church on the way to the ballpark. Maybe I'm not putting enough in the box. Let's see. I'm looking for another little streak. I said that awhile back. I'm still clinging to it."
Sprint time: Lou Piniella conceded Saturday that the season may be in sprint mode now.
"It's getting closer," he said. "You can start seeing the finish wire for sure after we get through this road trip. We only have one week at home and one week on the road. I would think then.
"It looks to me the best way to pick up some ground is to get rained out."
Piniella stressed that he was joking with that last comment.