"Kosuke Fukudome was at the top of the Cubs' batting order Sunday, and not just because Alfonso Soriano was among the regulars getting a day off.

Manager Lou Piniella has talked for weeks about the need for Fukudome to hit again as he did in the first part of the season.

''I'm just trying to get him some at-bats and see if he can get more hits,'' Piniella said.

The move brought instant results, with Fukudome doubling in his first at-bat and finishing 2-for-4.

Fukudome led off 12 other games this season while Soriano was on the disabled list. He's assured of a spot on the playoff roster, though he might remain in a reserve role if he continues to struggle at the plate. He hit .193 (16-for-83) in August and is hitting .217 (48-for-221) in his last 71 games.

Start to finish

Kerry Wood got to keep the ball from the final out Saturday, when his 32nd save clinched the division title. A veteran of the last three Cubs playoff teams -- the first two of those as a starter -- Wood plans to maintain a steady approach to the postseason as a closer.

''It's still baseball,'' he said of the pressure of closing playoff games. ''From a player's standpoint, we have to keep it that way. Don't put any added pressure on yourself and don't change what got you here.

''As a starter, you have four days to get yourself mentally prepared. Obviously, as a closer that part is different, but the mind-set is the same. You're still trying to get ahead of guys. You still take it one pitch at a time. For me, that doesn't change from the role I had in the regular season. That keeps it simple. The games obviously are more important, but all the games in the regular season were important, too, to get us here.''"