Backs against the wall, Cubs turn to Harden

LOS ANGELES - Rich Harden knew when he was traded to the Cubs in early July that there would be some big games to be pitched.

Well, here's the biggest.

It will be up to Harden tonight at Dodger Stadium to halt what has become a runaway train of negativity and pressure when he tries to save the Cubs' season in Game 3 of the National League division series.

"It's a very big game, but I don't want to change anything in my preparation," Harden said Friday. "I have to treat it like any other game."

But it's not just another game. It's a first-round elimination game for a Cubs team that finished with the best record in the National League and many believed was headed for its first World Series since 1945.

Forget the World Series. Down 0-2 in the best-of-five series, the Cubs just want to make it to Sunday night and a Game 4 for Ted Lilly to pitch.

"Harden is a really, really good pitcher, and Lilly has been throwing the ball as well as anyone lately," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "And then in Game 5 we've got (Ryan) Dempster. We've got (Carlos) Zambrano. They can both pitch in that particular game if necessary.

"But, look, let's get to tomorrow. I've got all the confidence in the world Rich will give us an opportunity to win a baseball game."

Harden has shown in his short time with the Cubs that he can dominate a game. But his troublesome right shoulder has limited him to just 1 start since Sept. 18.

Harden admitted Friday he received a cortisone shot in his arm last month.

"I guess some people think it's an issue," Harden said. "There's nothing going on. Regular maintenance, getting ready for the postseason."

Both Harden and Piniella agreed that maybe the best thing for the Cubs at this point is getting on the road away from the pressure of playing at Wrigley Field where Piniella said they played their two worst games of the season in losing 7-2 and 10-3.

"It's been fun playing in Wrigley Field all year," Piniella said. "And it just so happened we played two not so good ballgames and (the fans) weren't happy."

Harden thought his teammates played tight in the first two games.

"It seems that way," Harden said. "Maybe it'll loosen us up to go on the road. We seem to be putting a lot of pressure on ourselves."

Hiroki Kuroda (9-10 in the regular season) opposes Harden. Kuroda is 6-2 at Dodger Stadium with its spacious outfield.

"I have to be really cautious about this team, everyone in the lineup," Kuroda said. "Because they're a great team, and I have to be really careful with everyone that I face."

Temperatures are expected to be on the cool side (in the 50s) for Game 3 with a chance of rain.

Dodgers manager Joe Torre is not taking anything for granted even with his team needing only 1 more win to put the Cubs away.

"Well, we've been the better team the last two (games)," Torre said. "I can't say whether we're the better team."

Torre saw enough of Harden in the American League to know he has the kind of stuff that can turn the series around.

"Rich Harden is one of those guys that can dominate a game," Torre said.

Down to their last bullet, that's what the Cubs are counting on.