The Cubs rotation has posted a 1.74 earned-run average over the last nine games, working at least six innings in eight of those contests.
Despite subpar seasons from Carlos Zambrano and Ryan Dempster, the club still is ranked fifth in the National League in starting pitching. That’s one reason why general manager Jim Hendry is encouraged that the Cubs can get back to form in 2010.
Four of the five starters are slated to return, and free-agent-to-be Rich Harden may be back if the Cubs can re-sign him.
“Our starting rotation is certainly not the reason we’re not in higher contention now,” Hendry said. “The guys who haven’t had the same quality years we’re used to, I’m assuming are capable of bouncing back next year. We’re certainly not an aging team. Our pitching coming up through the system is good too.”
If Harden leaves, Tom Gorzelanny may get the first shot at replacing him in the rotation.
“We won’t know exactly what direction we’re going in for sure until the year is done,” Hendry said. “By that time, hopefully the [sale of the club] will be official and we’ll sit down with Tom Ricketts to put a plan together for the off-season.”
Miles watch: Aaron Miles’ two-year deal is another contract the Cubs may eat this off-season. On Wednesday, Miles had only his second hit since returning from a rehab stint at Triple-A Iowa on Aug. 5. He’s 2-for-27 since then (.074) and has only five RBIs on the season. Miles is owed $2.7 million in 2010, the last year of a $4.9 million deal.
Extra innings: Kevin Gregg walked two men in the eighth and served up a three-run homer to Ronny Cedeno. He leads relievers with 13 homers allowed this season. … Bobby Scales slammed his shoulder into the wall down the left-field line while pursuing a foul ball in the fifth inning, but remained in the game. … The Sept. 20 game in St. Louis was switched to a 7 p.m. start now that it has been picked up as ESPN’s “Sunday Night Game of the Week.”
