MESA, Ariz. (AP) – Carlos Zambrano was selected Thursday to make his fifth straight opening-day start for the Chicago Cubs.

Manager Lou Piniella said he picked Zambrano over Ryan Dempster for the April 6 start against Houston after discussing the choice with pitching coach Larry Rothschild.

Zambrano was 14-6 with a 3.91 ERA in 30 starts last season. Dempster was 17-6 with a 2.96 ERA and made the NL All-Star team.