Sunday night’s rainout couldn’t have come at a better time for the Cubs’ bedraggled bullpen.
But by the time the game is made up as part of a day-night doubleheader July 12, the Cardinals should have ace Chris Carpenter back in the rotation. The injury-plagued right-hander is on the disabled list with a torn muscle in his left rib cage.
Still, the cold and damp conditions at Wrigley Field give the Cubs two consecutive days off before Cincinnati comes in for a Tuesday night game.
And several relievers could use the time off, especially the two key components, Carlos Marmol and Kevin Gregg, neither of whom probably would have been available Sunday night.
“No question, our bullpen could use a break,” manager Lou Piniella said.
It has not been looking good for the bullpen’s only left-hander, Neal Cotts. Piniella seems to be losing confidence in Cotts, who walked both batters he faced Saturday and has allowed two hits and three walks to the last eight batters he has faced.
“It was just ugly,” Cotts said of Saturday’s walks. “They could have brought anybody in out of the stands to do what I did. I’ve just got to forget about it and move on.
“I just haven’t done the job when I get in there. I haven’t given myself a chance.”
Said Piniella: “We need for Cotts to throw strikes. We need for him to start getting some people out. He’s certainly a lot better than what he’s pitched.”
With Piniella adjusting his rotation because of the rainout, fifth starter Sean Marshall will become a second lefty in the bullpen for at least the first two games of the Cincinnati series.
As for the rotation, Sunday’s scheduled starter, Ted Lilly, will be pushed back to Wednesday, with Rich Harden keeping his spot Tuesday. Lilly has been fighting a nagging cold.
Carlos Zambrano will pitch Thursday and Ryan Dempster will open the weekend series Friday in St. Louis, with Marshall scheduled Saturday.
The rainout most likely means that backup catcher Koyie Hill will miss a start. He was in the lineup Sunday to give Geovany Soto a rest.
Micah Hoffpauir also was in the lineup, giving Derrek Lee a day off. Hoffpauir likely will be back on the bench Tuesday because Milton Bradley is expected to return from his week off due to a strained groin muscle.
Lee and Soto will have two-plus days off before the Reds visit, so they most likely will start Tuesday.
“I said in spring training that I was going to rest [regulars] and pick some spots,” Piniella said. “It gives me a chance to play my bench and keeps my front-line players fresher and stronger.”
Sunday’s rainout should have the same effect on the overused bullpen.
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dvandyck@tribune.com
