Six straight losses, five straight wins, three straight losses … the Cubs might be a streaky team, and, I know, it’s getting tough to watch. The truth is, after 60 games, they’re still just a .500 ball club, and, frankly, playing like one. I still think they’re going to take the NL Central, but they need to get better and, perhaps more importantly, more consistent.
Unfortunately, the Cubs worst on-paper match-up of the series is today, with the Cubs’ fifth starter, Eddie Butler, on the mound against the Rockies’ righty Jeff Hoffman. Although he debuted last year (just 31.1 IP), Hoffman was a top 50 prospect before this season, and seems to have figured things out at the Major League level (for the time being, of course).
His latest start, for example, was a 7.0 inning, 3 hit, 1Â earned run effort against the San Diego Padres that featured nine strikeouts and zero walks. That’s both brilliant and scary, even if the Padres lineup isn’t too terrifying (well, for some teams).
Starting for the Cubs this afternoon is (a possibly improving) Eddie Butler. Butler’s last start for the Cubs was his best since his first one of the year. Through 5.2 IP against a solid Marlins lineup, he allowed just 1 earned run on three hits and one walk. Control has been an issue for him this year (and for his career), so just one free pass was a really encouraging sign. Because Mike Montgomery started yesterday and Seth Frankoff tossed two innings immediately after, Butler may have a bit of a longer leash this afternoon than he did in his prior starts. Hopefully, he takes the opportunity and does well with it.
Game Info
Colorado Rockies (40-23) at Chicago Cubs (30-30) – 1:20 CT on ABC-7, 670 The Score
Game Thread and Series Preview
Your game thread is down in the comments, so let’s have some good, clean (safe-for-work) fun today.
Starting Pitchers
Cubs: Eddie Butler (R): 3.75 ERA, 3.85 FIP, 4.84 xFIP; 1.29 K/BB
versus
Rockies: Jeff Hoffman (R): 2.61 ERA, 2.71 FIP, 3.04 xFIP; 13.00 K/BB
Colorado Rockies:
- Charlie Blackmon, CF
- D.J. LeMahieu, 2B
- Nolan Arenado, 3B
- Mark Reynolds, 1B
- Ian Desmond, LF
- Alexi Amarista, SS
- Raimel Tapia, RF
- Tony Wolters, C
- Jeff Hoffman, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Ben Zobrist, 2B
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Albert Almora Jr,m CF
- Willson Contreras, C
- Addison Russell, SS
- Eddie Butler, P
