Piniella says schedule now in Cubs' favor

ST. LOUIS -- When Cubs manager Lou Piniella talked about the worm turning the other day, he was talking about his team's luck.

Now, Piniella likes the way the schedule is shaping up.

"I would probably venture to say that this thing here will probably go down to the last week of the season," he said Sunday. "I felt this whole thing was in Milwaukee's favor until we got through today. We had more road games. We had the doubleheader here.

"Now, all of a sudden, we've got some night games. We got a few days off, finally. "Milwaukee's had days off. Now, they've got to play. After today, the balance of this thing switches into our home court a little bit. Six at home. Six on the road. You've still got to play."

The Cubs come home to play the Reds for three night games beginning today. After an off-day, they get the Pirates at home for three before another off-day. Then it's on to Florida and Cincinnati to end the season.

The Brewers have no more days off. They're at Houston for three starting tonight before heading to Atlanta for four. Milwaukee returns to Miller Park next Monday for three against the Cardinals and four with the Padres.

Wood upbeat: Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood was beaming Sunday, one day after relieving in both ends of Saturday's doubleheader.

"It was different," he said. "I hadn't done that probably since I was 18 in high school, or 17. It was fun. I had a good time doing it. I felt good. I feel good today."

Wood won the first game Saturday, earning his first victory since May of last year. He worked another perfect inning in Game 2.

"I talked to Larry about my breaking ball and slider and what I've been doing wrong with it," Wood said, referring to pitching coach Larry Rothschild. "(Closer Ryan) Dempster's helped me out quite a bit with the breaking ball.

"Really, just being able to throw it for a strike helps you. It makes it that much easier. It's a lot tougher when you're only throwing one pitch for a strike."

Lou Piniella said that with Wood and lefty Scott Eyre pitching better, he has more options for the middle of the game.

Wood has been a part of Cubs playoff teams in 1998 and 2003. He's starting to like what he sees this year.

"I think we're getting there," he said. "The guys are starting to come together as a team and play as a team. We're all thinking the same thoughts. I think everybody's kind of realizing where we're at and what's going on, not that we weren't.

"We've had three to four good games, and guys are starting to realize we're getting to the end, and it's getting fun."

A day off: Shortstop Ryan Theriot didn't play Sunday, but he said it had nothing to do with him "rolling" his ankle three times while running out a double Saturday night.

"Matter of fact, I didn't even get any treatment on it," he said. "It's fine."

Theriot turned the right ankle "out of the box at home, then at first, then at second."

He said he got the ankle taped, and it was good to go.

Trax to pen: With Steve Trachsel out of the rotation for now, Lou Piniella said he could use the veteran right-hander in relief. Trachsel has 1 lifetime relief appearance, with the Cubs in 1995.

Still no fan: Lou Piniella still wasn't happy Sunday about Saturday's day-night doubleheader.

"I still contend that split doubleheaders at this time of the year are not fair to athletes," Piniella said. "I'm not making excuses for the loss (in Game 2).

"That's just too long to be at the ballpark in between games. If I had to do it again, I think I would tell everybody to leave and come back. It's a long time at the ballpark."

Scouting report

Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field

TV: Comcast SportsNet today and Tuesday; Channel 26 Wednesday

Radio: WGN 720-AM

Pitching matchups: The Cubs' Rich Hill (9-8) vs. Bronson Arroyo (9-4) today; Carlos Zambrano (16-12) vs. Aaron Harang (15-4) Tuesday; Ted Lilly (15-7) vs. Tom Shearn (3-0) Wednesday. All games begin at 7:05 p.m.

At a glance: The Cubs will have to be careful. The Reds can cause them trouble. The Cubs are only 5-7 vs. Cincinnati this year, 2-4 at Wrigley Field. The marquee pitching matchup is Tuesday, with each team's ace going. Harang is pitching as well as anybody in the game, and he's a Cy Young candidate. The Cubs' Derrek Lee is 12-for-32 with 4 homers off Harang. Aramis Ramirez has 3 homers and Matt Murton 2 vs. Harang. The Reds' Adam Dunn has 6 homers against Zambrano. Ken Griffey is 11-for-27 against Zambrano. These two teams finish the season in Cincinnati Sept. 28-30.

Next: Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field, Friday-Sunday

-- Bruce Miles