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"They will play defense behind me and score some runs."
That's what Rockies rookie pitcher Eddie Butler, who makes his major league debut tonight at Coors Field, told Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post on Thursday. And Butler's right; the Rockies plated 15 runs against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday and Thursday, and the defense made only one error -- a first-inning bobble by Charlie Culberson in Game 2 of the three-game set.
What Butler didn't mention is that the Rockies' bullpen will have to hold up its end of the deal. The unit has surrendered an astounding 17 runs in 8⅔ innings during that same span. Regardless of how Butler performs against the Dodgers' veteran lineup, he'll presumably need some help from the relief corps.
Butler will be opposed by Hyun-jin Ryu, who was not at his best in a loss to the Rockies on April 27, giving up five earned runs on nine hits in five innings. It would be in Colorado's best interest to put up similar numbers against Ryu tonight to allow Butler to settle into low-pressure situations.