Cubs' Carlos Zambrano looks forward to duel with Randy Johnson

May 9--Tribune reporter

Carlos Zambrano was ecstatic Wednesday in Cincinnati after learning he would be facing Randy Johnson in Sunday's series finale of the playoff rematch between the Cubs and Arizona.

Power pitchers love facing power pitchers and young pitchers love facing legends, so "Big Z" eagerly anticipates his second career matchup against the "Big Unit."

"Sweet," Zambrano said.

Of course, what Zambrano didn't know is Johnson has owned the Cubs over the years like Michael Jordan owned Craig Ehlo. In 13 career starts with the Expos, Astros and Diamondbacks, Johnson has compiled a 12-0 record, including 4-0 in five starts at Wrigley Field, with a 1.00 earned-run average.

"Really, 12-0?" Zambrano said. "OK, that's good. There's always a first time. I wish him good luck and I'll try to pitch my game the way I've been doing. We'll see what happens."

But the chance to put the first blemish on Johnson's career of Cubs-killing isn't the only thing on Zambrano's agenda this weekend. When he last faced Arizona, manager Lou Piniella lifted him in a 1-1 tie after the sixth inning of Game 1 of the National League division series. The controversial move was made to have Zambrano ready on three days' rest for Game 4, a game that never came.

Seven months later, Zambrano finally will face the Diamondbacks, who currently are the hottest team in baseball with a 23-12 record.

It took some Cubs fans all winter to get over the playoff debacle, but Zambrano said he got over it relatively quickly.

"It took just a month," he said. "After that, it's over and you have to move on. It's a new season, so you just keep playing and try to take your team to the playoffs."

Zambrano is off to the best start in his career, going 5-1 with a 1.80 ERA, ranked third among National League pitchers. But he has lost his unofficial title as the best-hitting pitcher in the game now that Arizona's Micah Owings is doing his own Babe Ruth impression.

ESPN.com columnist Jerry Crasnick recently ranked Owings first and Zambrano second in a comparison of the game's best-hitting pitchers. Both would be welcome additions to the increasingly dull Home Run Derby at the All-Star Game.