Cubs-Nats series preview

The Cubs start a 10-game homestand Tuesday against the last-place Washington Nationals, whom they might have to sweep again to stay alive in the playoff race.

Much has changed for the Cubs in the past three weeks. After they went 14-5 in the first 19 games after the All-Star layoff, the Cubs have gone 5-12 to fall eight games behind the first-place St. Louis Cardinals.

The past week was particularly painful for Cubs fans who watched their team drop two of three games to the San Diego Padres and three of four games to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Cubs 10-game homestand includes games against the Nationals, Mets, Astros and White Sox.

"It's huge," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said. "We've really put ourselves in a bad spot. Sixteen or 17 games ago, we were in first place, and now we're eight back. We had a terrible two weeks, and we need a great homestand to get back in it."

The Cubs activated Carlos Zambrano from the 15-day disabled list before Tuesday's game. Tom Gorzelanny will move to the bullpen, and Esmailin Caridad was demoted to Triple-A Iowa.

Here is the probable pitching matchups for this week's series. All games will be broadcast on WGN-AM 720.

Tuesday: 7:05 p.m., Comcast SportsNet Plus
RHP Carlos Zambrano (7-4, 3.35) vs. RHP Garrett Mock (2-5, 5.10)

Wednesday: 7:05 p.m., Comcast SportsNet
RHP Rich Harden (8-7, 4.04) vs. RHP J.D. Martin (2-3, 4.76)

Thursday: 1:20 p.m., WGN
RHP Randy Wells (9-6, 2.84) vs. LHP John Lannan (8-9, 4.03)

-Tom Musick