If there's save situation today, Wood won't get it
Kerry Wood closed his second straight game Sunday, retiring the Astros in order to go 3-for-3 in save opportunities. Wood won't get a chance to go 4-for-4 today at Pittsburgh.
Manager Lou Piniella said after the game that Carlos Marmol would get the nod today if there's a save situation, giving Wood two straight days of rest thanks to Tuesday's scheduled off-day.
"He's throwing the ball well," Piniella said of Wood. "It's just that it's early in the season. Just being a little prudent."
Asked how he felt after making back-to-back appearances, Wood said, "I feel great."
Soto a no go: Lou Piniella started Henry Blanco at catcher Sunday, which gave the coaching staff an opportunity to work on Geovany Soto's throwing mechanics.
Soto has not thrown out a baserunner in seven stolen-base attempts.
"He's using his upper body and not using his legs or getting his feet in position, so we worked with him today on it and he was much improved," Piniella said. "We'll get him back in there (today in Pittsburgh).
"He just tries to be too quick, and he just throws the ball with his arm instead of getting his body in position. It starts with the feet, trying to be too quick."
How's that? Lou Piniella said before Sunday's game that he will use Bob Howry in roles other than setup man to help the reliever get back on track.
Howry has surrendered 5 earned runs on 8 hits in 3 appearances, leaving him at 0-1 with a 16.88 ERA after 2¿ innings.
"We'll use him behind in the score if we have to," Piniella said. "We'll find spots for him to work. We'll get him steady work. That's the important thing, steady work."
Piniella said Michael Wuertz, Kevin Hart and Jon Lieber each could get shots at filling Howry's role until the 10-year veteran returns to form.
Scouting report Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park
TV: Monday and Thursday, Channel 9; Wednesday, Comcast SportsNet Plus
Radio: WGN 720-AM
Pitching matchups: The Cubs' Ted Lilly (0-1) vs. Tom Gorzelanny (0-1) today at 12:35 p.m.; Ryan Dempster (1-0) vs. Zach Duke (0-0) Wednesday at 6:05 p.m.; Rich Hill (0-0) vs. Matt Morris (0-0) Thursday at 6:05 p.m.
At a glance: The Cubs make their first road trip of the season, a six-game tour of the Keystone state. The Pirates (3-3) return to Pittsburgh for their home opener after salvaging the final game of a three-game series in Miami on Sunday with a 9-2 victory, thanks to a 10-strikeout game from Ian Snell. Look for the Cubs' biggest bats to do damage against Zach Duke on Wednesday. Against Duke, Alfonso Soriano is hitting .455 lifetime (5-for-11), Derrek Lee .400 (8-for-20) and Aramis Ramirez .333 (7-for-21). Rich Hill is 2-1 lifetime against the Pirates with a 3.62 ERA, Lilly is 1-0, 4.09 and Dempster is 6-7, 6.09 with 9 saves.
Next: Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, Friday-Sunday