Chicago Cubs: Eddie Butler looks for fourth win of the season

The Chicago Cubs look for Eddie Butler to provide depth again as they seek to snap a three-game skid at Wrigley Field against the Colorado Rockies.

One of the more pleasant surprises of the season takes the mound for the Chicago Cubs on Saturday afternoon in Eddie Butler.

The offseason acquisition has been effective this year, pitching to a 3.75 ERA through the season’s first two months. Saturday, he makes a start against his former team in the Rockies.  In his last outing, Butler allowed just one run over five-plus innings in a win over Miami.

Outside of one poor start (5/30 @ SD), the right-hander has been incredibly effective. In his other outings, he is yet to allow more than two earned in a start.

His counterpart and former teammate, Jeff Hoffman, starts for Colorado. He appeared in last month’s series at Coors Field, tossing 1 1/3 innings and surrendering one hit – a Kris Bryant long ball.

What to Watch

Chicago (30-30) must improve upon their performance with runners in scoring position. Friday’s loss was just the latest proof in a long string of disappointing performances this season.

The Cubs own a league-worst .216 average in such situations. If this team is to ever get back to winning regularly and not playing .500 ball, this has to change. The good news? There’s still 102 games left in the regular season.

Colorado, meanwhile, leads the National League with a robust .318 mark. Last year, the Cubs finished second in the league in average with runners in scoring position trailing, you guessed it: the Colorado Rockies.