In order for Barrett to qualify for the batting title at the end of the year, he has to accumulate 502 total plate appearances. The Cubs catcher is a little behind.

Barrett had 342 total plate appearances going into Wednesday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cubs have played 112 games. For Barrett to qualify for the batting race on Wednesday, he would have needed 347 total plate appearances (3.1 multiplied by 112).

Cubs manager Dusty Baker is well aware of the numbers, and he's making sure Barrett gets his games. The Cubs catcher needs to play in at least 40 games and get four at-bats each game the rest of the way.

"Don't tell me that," Barrett said when told the numbers. "We'll just go day to day. I'm not going to get my hopes up. It won't hurt my feelings if it doesn't work out. It's one of those things that will be nice to have."

Only two catchers have ever won a batting title, and they were: Ernie Lombardi, who hit .330 in 1942, and Bubbles Hargrave, who hit .353 in 1926. Mike Piazza batted .362 in 1996, but played in only 146 games and didn't have enough plate appearances to qualify. Minnesota's Joe Mauer currently leads the American League batting race.

"They take such a beating because of the position," Cubs hitting coach Gene Clines said of catchers. "They get beat up all year."

Clines already has three batting champs under his watch: Edgar Martinez, Barry Bonds and Derrek Lee last year. Barrett is batting .330, and he would be fourth in the National League batting race if he had enough plate appearances.

"He's just staying focused," Clines said. "He knows what he has to do, and he's just doing it. There's a few glitches here and there, but he's doing it. His setup and his approach -- if he keeps that, he'll be fine."

A lot of Clines' work with Barrett involves staying focused.

"It's a constant reminder of things he has to do to stay successful," Clines said. "That's the whole thing -- stay focused."

Barrett is doing his part. He's asked friend and coach Tom Howard to work with him the rest of the season so he gets his rest, eats right and stays strong.

"He's my guardian," Barrett said.

Barrett already has a Silver Slugger trophy from last season. He's got some competition this year. Atlanta's Brian McCann was batting .352 with 14 homers and 52 RBIs. Barrett has 13 home runs and 44 RBIs. Paul Lo Duca of the New York Mets was hitting .321 and Pittsburgh's Ronny Paulino was hitting .314.

"It's been an offensive catcher year," Barrett said.

Step by step: Wade Miller will make his next rehab start for Double-A West Tenn at Jacksonville on Friday, while lefty Sean Marshall will make his first rehab start Saturday for Triple-A Iowa at Memphis.

This will be Miller's sixth Minor League start as he comes back from shoulder surgery last September. Marshall has been sidelined with a strained right oblique muscle, and he'll likely make at least two Minor League starts.

"He has to pitch enough that he's confident that he doesn't pull that again," Baker said.

Schedule change: Please note that the Cubs' Aug. 27 game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium will be a 7:05 p.m. CT start, and will be broadcast on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball.

Minor matters: Jerome Williams gave up three runs on seven hits over six innings in Iowa's 10-7 loss to Portland. Portland scored five runs in the top of the ninth off Kerry Ligtenberg, who served up two home runs. Buck Coats had three hits and two RBIs. ... J.R. Mathes gave up four runs on nine hits over six innings in West Tenn's 5-0 loss to Carolina. Carlos Rojas and Richard Lewis each had two hits. ... Ryan Harvey extended his hitting streak to six games in Daytona's 3-2 win over Tampa. Carlos Perez gave up two runs on five hits over five innings for the win. ... Todd Blackford gave up seven runs on 10 hits over 3 1/3 innings in Peoria's 7-1 loss to Kane County. ... Fabian Jimenez, one of the pitchers acquired for Scott Williamson, threw six shutout innings in Boise's 6-0 win over Spokane. Jimenez gave up three hits, one walk and struck out two. Russell Cansler had two hits, including a home run.

On deck: Mark Prior will close out the three-game series on Thursday, seeking his second straight win. He'll be opposed by Brewers lefty Doug Davis. The game will be broadcast on WGN Radio and WGN TV.