Chicago Cubs hope to turn their fortunes around with Butler on the hill

The Chicago Cubs have struggled with runners in scoring position for much of the year. It’s not been a concern, but now we’re starting to reach that point where it’s going to be very soon.

I was once told that you can’t win the division in the first two months of the season, but you can certainly lose it. The Chicago Cubs haven’t lost it, that’s for sure. But they’re not doing anything to show that this is going to be the cakewalk we were hoping for. The Cubs Eddie Butler will take the mound, hoping to build on the potential to seize that last rotation spot.

The Cubs (25-25) sit at .500. Not where we expected them, but far from a complete trainwreck. With all the “holes” they’ve shown, you really have to take this record after 50 games and be happy with it. Eddie Butler (2-0, 1.93) has been effective in each of his three starts but needs to find a way to get deeper into games. His last outing against the Giants was a step up in the right direction.

More from Cubbies Crib

• Cubs: Adrian Sampson is forcing his way into the conversation
• Projecting the Chicago Cubs bullpen to open the 2023 season
• Cubs fans are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel
• Justin Steele has evolved into a frontline starter for the Cubs
• The future of first base is murky right now for the Cubs

Butler went five innings on just 69 pitches, allowing just one run while only walking two. The potential was there for Butler to go deeper onto the game but the situation didn’t allow for it. With Brett Anderson nearing a possible return, Butler needs to make an impression in his final few start before the Cubs have to make a decision.

The Padres (20-33) will send the rookie Dinelson Lamet (1-0, 1.80) to the hill, who was impressive in his debut. The Cubs history against pitchers they’re seeing for the first time isn’t always good, and Butler is 0-2 with a 5.69 ERA while he was with the Rockies.

While Kris Bryant continues to enjoy his “homecoming”, the rest of the Cubs will get a chance to catch up with for Cub Matt Szczur. Bryant called him one the of the best teammates he’s ever had, and the Cubs were forced to make the decision to part with him because of the roster structure.

Here are the lineups for tonight’s matchup:

The Cubs and Padres will see the first pitch at 9:10 p.m. CT. CSN-C+ will have the television coverage while the Score 670 will have the radio broadcast. Be sure to check back for more coverage of tonight’s game as well as the postgame coverage that follows.