Cubs don't expect Big Z to melt down again

The Cubs aren't expecting any fireworks at U.S. Cellular Field this week, but you never know.

Strange things always seem to happen when they meet the White Sox on the South Side. Michael Barrett, Milton Bradley and Carlos Zambrano come to mind.

Coincidentally, Zambrano will start Monday night's series opener. A year ago, he melted down in the dugout, putting himself out of action for more than a month as he underwent anger-management treatment.

The Cubs aren't expecting any repeats from Zambrano this time around.

“I think he's well prepared,” said manager Mike Quade. “I kind of put all that behind me. I expect him to pitch well, and I expect him to continue to be the guy that's he's been. I think he'll take the ball and pitch well.”

Zambrano is 5-4 with a 4.97 ERA lifetime against the Sox. Although he said his own team was playing like a “Triple-A” team a couple of weeks ago, his teammates seem OK with him, and they haven't talked about last year at the Cell at all.

“He has forgotten about it,” said left fielder Alfonso Soriano. “We play one game at a time. That happened last year, and he's not thinking about what happened last year. He's been focused on this year, and I think he's going to do a very good job tomorrow.”

The teams will play three night games on the South Side, where the atmosphere should electric.

“It brings a good energy to the ballpark,” said reliever Sean Marshall. “The fans get just into it as we do, maybe a little more so.”

All right then:Mike Quade went with a right-handed hitting lineup against Yankees lefty CC Sabathia on Sunday night. Reed Johnson led off for the second time this season. Also in the lineup were Jeff Baker at first base and rookie DJ LeMahieu at second base. Starlin Castro batted second. He entered Sunday 12-for-24 on the homestand, and he's done all his damage batting first or second. Castro's 92 hits entering the game ranked third in the National League and fourth in the major leagues. Quade reiterated that it doesn't matter where Castro hits even though the numbers say he struggles in the third spot. For now, it appears Quade will leave him second.#8220;I like it right there,#8221; Quade said. #8220;He's been swinging the bat good. I can go with him anywhere in the top three spots. He's really been swinging the bat well, and it just so happens he's been in the 2-hole.#8221;With a lefty going for the Yankees, right fielder Kosuke Fukudome didn't start. He brought a .402 on-base percentage out of the leadoff spot into Sunday's action. That was best for any leadoff hitter in baseball (with at least 150 plate appearances).DH doings:The Cubs have two series upcoming in American League parks. After playing the White Sox at the Cell, they'll travel to Kansas City for three against the Royals. That means Mike Quade will have to come up with a DH for six games. He said he might use Aramis Ramirez at least once as DH. That could get DJ LeMahieu into the lineup at third. Or Quade could use Jeff Baker at third when Ramirez serves as DH.