Some things don’t change in Chicago. With the Cubs cruising toward the National League Central title, the team just HAD to develop some drama.

The Curse had to come into play. So here it is: Cubs manager Lou Piniella started staff ace Carlos Zambrano despite his struggle with a “dead arm.” Zambrano departed that start early and is now scheduled for medical examinations.

Uh and Oh.

“Did anybody think this thing was going to be real easy?” Piniella asked reporters after his team’s fourth consecutive loss. “You didn’t hear that from me all year. We’re in a stretch here where things aren’t going our way, and we’ve just got to keep battling and keep our confidence up.”

Even before this setback, ChicagoSports.com blogger Steve Rosenbloom sounded this warning to Cubs fans:

“Once seemingly unbeatable at home, the Cubs have now lost three in a row at Wrigley Field, and if that’s not enough for you panicking Cubs fans out there in the audience, here’s something to help you get the car started with the garage door closed: Arizona seems to be destiny’s date again, with Brandon Webb, Dan Haren and Randy Johnson and his perfect career record against the Cubs. Gentlemen, start your engines.”

Look at the bright side: If Zambrano can’t answer the postseason bell, the Small Bears can always move up Jason Marquis into the playoff rotation.

MYSTERIES OF THE UNIVERSE

Questions to ponder while wondering why the Astros are suddenly playing for keeps:

• For Cards fans, is there anything more reassuring than watching Chris Carpenter throw 94 mile-per-hour fastballs again?
• On the other hand, shouldn’t Jaime Garcia have informed somebody about his sore elbow?
• How long will it take Keenan Burton to displace Drew Bennett as the Rams’ No. 2 receiver?
• And speaking of the Rams, how will history remember the Tim McGaricle Era in St. Louis?

TIGER KEEPING BUSY

So how does Tiger Woods kill time while recovering from knee surgery? He focuses on domestic activities.

The Woods camp has notified the world that Elin Woods is expecting the couple’s second child. Tee time will come in late winter.

“Elin is feeling great and we are both thrilled,” Woods said in a prepared statement. “While my injury has been disappointing and frustrating, it has allowed me to spend a lot of time watching Sam grow. I can’t begin to tell you how rewarding it is being a dad and spending time with her and Elin.

“The injury has been a blessing and a disappointment.”

MEDIA NOTE OF DAY

From the Orlando Sentinel: “UCF’s teleconference with Coach George O’Leary was canceled today and because school officials accidentally gave the number for a phone sex line instead of the teleconference number.”

IF YOU PLAY TETRIS

Then you will like this. Thanks to Jerry Greene of the Orlando Sentinel for pointing it out.

BOB STULL WOULD NEVER DO THIS

Check out UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel working the crowd after the Bruins knocked off Tennessee.

QUIPS ‘R US

Here is what some of America’s leading sports pundits have been writing:

Greg Cote, Miami Herald: “The LPGA Tour will require all its players to speak English beginning in 2009. This whole controversy could have been averted if all of those South Koreans dominating the tour had simply learned to say, ‘Thank you for this large cardboard check.’”

Dan Daly, Washington Times: “Seats near the foul poles in the Yankees’ new stadium will cost $100 and $75 a game next year. Boy, for that kind of dough, the poles should be adorned with strippers.”

Norman Chad, syndicated columnist: “The Browns cannot crack .500 with Derek Anderson as their quarterback. I need Romeo Crennel to realize this soon. Anderson is, uh, a bit inaccurate. You know how, when people are giving directions, they say, ‘Go down two traffic lights, turn left and you’ll see it on the right side — you can’t miss it.’ Well, Derek Anderson could miss it. Trust me.”

Jerry Greene, Orlando Sentinel: “PGA Tour player Padraig Harrington asks a great question about the LPGA threatening to suspend players who can’t speak English: ‘Who draws the line about how many words you need to know in English?’ How about 72 words, as in par 72?”

Mark Kriegel, FoxSports.com: “USC has Mark Sanchez (338 yards, three touchdowns against Virginia) and two highly capable backups. That’s more quarterbacks than the Bears have had since Sid Luckman.”

MEGAPHONE

“When I went to Poland, everyone was really was so happy that I was there. So, so many big fans. I thought maybe my last my name was Williams-owski or something. Really my biggest fans were in Poland. I couldn’t believe it. I just never would have dreamed that people in Poland would have thought that — you know, were watching what I do and actually cared about it so much. So it was really flattering, and I enjoyed all my times there. I played there quite often because of that.”

Venus Williams, on her popularity in Eastern Europe.