Will Zambrano Bat for Himself vs. Rays?

With the Cubs in the midst of a interleague play, Piniella will have an intriguing decision to make when Carlos Zambrano pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays this week: Will Zambrano DH for himself in the American League ballpark? (The DH is an optional spot in the lineup, and pitchers are allowed to hit for themselves under American League rules.) While the option is tantalizing to Cubs fans who worship at the altar of the .362-hitting pitcher, the answer is most likely "no."

Piniella already struck down calls for Zambrano to DH on his non-starting days, instead putting Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez in the DH spot this past weekend against the Blue Jays. According to Cubs.com, "Piniella said...that he'd consider Lee, Ramirez, and regular right fielder Kosuke Fukudome in the role [on Wednesday, Zambrano's next scheduled start]."