In a game that should have been a cakewalk, the Chicago Cubs proved to be up to their old tricks by letting a bad pitcher make himself look good. Tony Armas started the game with a double-digit ERA, but after 6 solid innings, he was able to drop that ERA by 3 points, even after giving up a lead-off homerun to Alfonso Soriano.

Yet the Cubs were still able to battle back, due entirely to their convincing route of the Pirates bullpen in the 7th inning. The Cubs had been down by five runs after "Toronto" Ted reared his thugly head, but two doubles and a seventh inning homer put the Cubs back in the lead. Unfortunately, it didn't count for anything, as the game was called on account of darkness or something before the Pirates had a chance to exploit the weak Cubs bullpen and come back.

The Cubs and Pirates will be making up for it in a few hours today, resuming the game where it had left off - Bob Howry facing the top of Pittsburgh's order. But if I'm Lou Piniella, I throw them a curve ball. Here's what I mean:

The Cubs have an off-day once the Pirates series wraps up today, which means they have an extra day of rest for their rotation. If I was Lou, I'd be rich and have a legendary temper. I would also think about using a starting pitcher to pitch the final three innings of yesterday's game, as my rotation has proven to be pretty good, while my bullpen seems to equate "holding a lead" with "holding water in my loving arms" - they can't do either unless they have a gourd of some kind, and everybody knows how hard it is to get a gourd in Pittsburgh. (Yes. I have gone insane. Hey, maybe they'd use the gourd to menace the umpires into cutting them some slack or something.)

It makes sense because it keeps the bullpen fresh for the "real" game, which will be played later the same day. Hell, Lou could even use Angel Guzman, assuming he's available - and I think he is.

Anyway. It's just a thought.

In Cubbie Blue News:

Paul Sullivan writes that Derrek Lee thinks that Alfonso Soriano is trying to do too much. I agree with MVLee. While I'm sure that the players appreciate it, Alfonso probably doesn't need to arrive early at the ballpark every day to brew a fresh pot of coffee while doing everybody's laundry. Once he calms down, he'll probably turn it on. And can you imagine a Cubs offense where Alfonso, Derrek, and Aramis are on a homer-happy streak at the same time? It could happen.

Bruce Miles writes that the Cubs are starting to turn it around, what with their increased production from the outfield. Considering the fact that the Cubs practically have a second set of starting outfielders, it's a little shocking that production has been so weak. We have to figure that it won't last, and once things get straightened out, the team will start ringing up wins. By the way, if Felix Pie stays and starts, who should be the starting right fielder and what should the Cubs do with the other guys?

Cubs.com's Chris Adamski reads Goat Riders, or at least that's what I'm claiming after his recent article about how the Cubs have scored way more runs than they've allowed. One scary number that Adamski writes about - 9 out of 10 people of Polish descent have hilarious last names. No, wait. Um, the Cubs are 1-9 in games decided by two runs or fewer. Ugh. Not a good thing.

And that's all I've got for this morning. It will be interesting to see if the Cubs use a starter as I've suggested they should. Yet, for some reason, I suspect it might be just a little too wild and crazy for Lou to consider. Damn him!