The Cubs offense is struggling right now, and manager Lou Piniella is ready to do something about it.
Following the Cubs' 2-1 loss in St. Louis, the Cubs have scored just one run over their last 18 innings and are on a three-game losing streak. Chicago arrived in St. Louis winners of 11 of 15, while averaging 5.7 runs in those games. But now they have lost four of five in St. Louis in 2009 after winning 12 of 18 at Busch Stadium the previous two seasons. Chicago has not been swept by the Cardinals since Aug. 25-27, 2006.
Piniella said he was close to making some changes, including sitting struggling starting first baseman Derrek Lee and catcher Geovany Soto.
"I don't know. I don't know," Piniella replied. "I've thought about it a lot. Believe me, while everybody is sleeping, I'm up. I've got to be as patient as I possibly can to give these people ample opportunities to shake out of it. But sooner or later ..."
And when the Cubs commit an error in a game? They are just 2-10.
St. Louis has opened as a -135 money line favorite for tonight's game on WagerWeb.com.
As good as Cards starter Chris Carpenter was last night, it has been the St. Louis bullpen that has really been shining of late. After four straong innings Wednesday, the Cardinals' bullpen has a 3.40 ERA this month and opponents are hitting .211 against them. The bullpen hasn't taken a loss since April 28.
Thus Chicago better get to St. Louis starter Adam Wainwright (3-2, 3.83) early tonight. He was excellent that last time out, allowing just one run on two hits in eight innings against Milwaukee. Yet he lost.
Wainwright is 1-0 with a 3.46 ERA in two starts against Chicago this season, with the Cardinals winning each.
The Cubs start lefty Sean Marshall (2-2, 4.02), who has been moving back and forth from the bullpen. He missed a turn in the rotation when last Friday's game against the Astros was rained out. In his last start May 10, he gave up two runs on five hits over five innings against the Brewers. He has thrown six or more innings in three of his five starts.
St. Louis didn't get outfielder Rick Ankiel back off the DL as hoped on Wednesday, and he won't play tonight, either. The team is now expecting to activate him on Friday.
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