Here's the plan: get swept by the worst team in the National League, but only lose one game to the Brewers because Milwaukee is going to go make five errors in one game anyway.

Thankfully, there are just three games left. The Cubs need to win just one, or have the Brewers lose just one, to assure themselves of a tie for the division. And they have their three best pitchers lined up for the Cincinnati Reds: Zambrano, Hill, and then Lilly on Sunday, if needed. The Reds, meanwhile, will give the Cubs two of their best, with Bronson Arroyo on Friday and Aaron Harang on Saturday. It would be best if the Cubs just won on Friday and Saturday and concluded the matter.

Meanwhile, the acquisition of Steve Trachsel has been a disaster. If it is any consolation (it's not), Rocky Cherry has been even worse for the Baltimore Orioles.

Speaking of the Orioles, they are 68-91 on the year. They have given 813 plate appearances to Corey Patterson, Paul Bako, Freddie Bynum, and Scott Moore and 199 innings pitched to Trachsel, Jon Leicester, Cherry, and Scott Williamson. Glad to see the Cubs could be of service.

Going through the list of Cubs' catchers who have caught Steve Trachsel that Phil Bencomo at Cub Town compiled brings back some memories. I really don't remember Tyler Houston catching that many games. And Brian Dorsett? If they weren't in Cubs' uniforms a decade apart, I would have confused him with Brian Dayett.

The Cubs now have their starter for Game 2 of the September 15 doubleheader against St. Louis. And if they get into a one-game playoff at the end of the year. Here is the press release. Having Trachsel back eight years after he last pitched in a Cubs uniform is a little weird. For what it is worth, he posted a 2.37 ERA in 6 starts in August.