Rockies at Cubs
The Colorado Rockies aren’t typically known for their pitching prowess, but outstanding work on the mound has led the National League West leaders’ most recent hot streak. The Rockies look for another strong pitching performance from rookie Jeff Hoffman when they aim for a third straight win over the host Chicago Cubs – and their seventh straight overall – on Saturday.
Charlie Blackmon’s go-ahead two-run homer in the fifth inning helped lift the Rockies to a 5-3 win Friday, but it was another dominant showing on the mound that made the lead stand up. German Marquez lasted just three innings, but five relievers combined to finish off a three-hitter and quiet a Cubs lineup that was heating up before Colorado came to town. Chicago has dropped three straight following a five-game winning streak, and the Cubs have compiled only four runs and eight hits in the first two contests of the four-game set. The Rockies have won four of five against the Cubs this season and are 8-3 against them since the start of last season.
TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, ROOT Rocky Mountain (Colorado), ABC 7 (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Jeff Hoffman (3-0, 2.61 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Eddie Butler (3-1, 3.75)
Hoffman has put together two straight outstanding starts, compiling 16 strikeouts while allowing one run and three hits over seven frames in each of his last two outings. The 24-year-old has 24 strikeouts in three starts this season and has issued just two walks in 20 2/3 innings. Hoffman has made one start and one relief appearance against the Cubs, allowing eight runs (seven earned) in 5 1/3 innings.
Butler has allowed two runs or fewer in four of his five starts, and he’s coming off a solid outing against Miami last time out. The 26-year-old allowed one run and three hits over 5 2/3 innings to earn the win, and he gave up a season-low one walk. Butler, a first-round pick of the Rockies in 2012, has never faced his former team.
WALK-OFFS
1. Blackmon had a streak of six straight multi-hit games snapped Friday but is 13-for-28 during a seven-game hitting streak.
2. Cubs 3B Kris Bryant is 3-for-4 with two homers against Hoffman.
3. Rockies RH Greg Holland converted his 23rd save in as many chances Friday and is three shy of Huston Street’s franchise mark for consecutive saves set in 2009.