Scouting report Opponent: Chicago Cubs (77-79). Site: Wrigley Field, Chicago. Times: 8:05 p.m. today; 2:20 p.m. tomorrow. TV, radio: Today on FSN Pittsburgh, tomorrow on WGN. Both games on KDKA-AM (1020) and Pirates Radio Network. Starting matchups: LHP Zach Duke (6-2, 1.94) vs. RHP Greg Maddux (13-13, 4.14), LHP Paul Maholm (2-1, 2.08) vs. RHP Mark Prior (11-6, 3.73). Season series: Cubs, 9-3. Three things to know about the Cubs: 1. They are Houston's worst enemy. They just took two of three from the playoff-chasing Astros on a weekend set, then, once finished with the Pirates, face them for four more at Minute Maid Park to end the season. 2. Why is the triple crown so difficult to win? 1B Derrek Lee leads the National League with a .340 average, but he is six home runs and 23 RBIs behind Atlanta CF Andruw Jones. 3. Manager Dusty Baker has had a winning record in eight consecutive seasons, but the Cubs will need to win five of their final six to extend that. The Pirates' key to success: Get some sleep. The game last night in Dodger Stadium was to be followed by an overnight charter flight due to land at 5:30 a.m. today in Chicago. The intangible: The Pirates seem to elevate their play behind Duke and Maholm, no doubt because of their efficiency. "When a pitcher's not going well, a defense sits back on its heels, as if they're saying, 'Come on, throw a strike!' " interim manager Pete Mackanin said. "These guys throw strikes." On deck: A 13th consecutive losing season concludes with three games at home against the Milwaukee Brewers. -- Dejan Kovacevic

LOS ANGELES -- No one has told Pete Mackanin he is a candidate to be the Pirates' manager next season, even though he is filling the role on an interim basis.

But Mackanin made clear yesterday he wishes to be considered for the job.

"I'm reading all these guys are throwing their names into the ring, and I'd like to throw mine in, too," he said. "I would like to think I'm a candidate. I'm assuming I am."

General manager Dave Littlefield consistently has avoided any discussion about the managerial opening, saying he prefers to focus on the season at hand. He has not named any candidates.

He did, however, say two days ago he was "pleased" with the progress the team has made in its three weeks under Mackanin, a comment Mackanin seemed to take to heart.

"I'd like to make an impression on Dave and Kevin McClatchy," Mackanin said. "I hope they pick me."

Mackanin added he hopes his unusual situation -- taking over a team with a month left in the season -- should be weighed by upper management.

"I think it's unrealistic for anybody to assume great strides can be made in 26 games. I take pride in knowing I'm doing the best job I can under the circumstances and keeping everybody afloat, keeping the team competitive. That's all I can do. Just make sure guys don't lie down."

He expressed confidence he could accomplish far more with a full-time chance.

"It's hard to assert yourself as the leader of the new regime at the end of a season. I'm not going to have a big meeting and come in here and tell everybody, 'OK, this is how you're going to play baseball.' That's not fair to anybody. If, in fact, I do get the job, I plan to make changes. I plan to pay more attention to certain areas of the game than we have. I'll have my own program."

Mackanin, 53, is managing in Major League Baseball for the first time, but he has 13 seasons of experience in the minors and a .519 winning percentage.

North Side notches

Outfielder Craig Wilson was held out of the lineup because of fluid on his right knee. He was hurt crashing into the right-field fence to make a catch Sunday. Littlefield said Wilson is day to day.

The Pirates have told outfielder Jody Gerut he will not play again this season. Gerut, out since Aug. 10 because of irritation in his surgically repaired right knee, has been working out without a brace. But Littlefield decided not to use him because of the limited time left in the season. Gerut appeared in only four games for the Pirates after being acquired from the Chicago Cubs at the July 31 trade deadline.

Reliever Josh Fogg, the Pirates' representative with the MLB Players Association, applauded the union's offer yesterday to increase the penalty to first-time steroids policy offenders from 10 days to 20 games: "Everybody in baseball wants to clean it up." But he also pointed to the Baltimore Orioles' Rafael Palmeiro as an example that the stiffest penalty comes not from suspension but from public humiliation: "With Palmeiro, from what we've seen on TV, it doesn't look like it's working out very well for him. I think there are pretty much a lot of guys who have been scared off."

First baseman Brad Eldred returned after missing one game to a twinge in his right hamstring.

Los Angeles manager Jim Tracy, thought to be a candidate for the Pirates' opening if he exercises an out option in his contract in the first week after this season, said yesterday he will not pursue other jobs during that week. He declined to discuss the Pirates' job. "We have a decision to make," Tracy said. "I have no interest in pursuing anything unless after the out clause is exercised." Tracy is believed to be seeking a long-term extension from the Dodgers, and management appears reluctant to provide it.