:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46253624/usa-today-8545242.0.jpg)
Two teams who are in a bit of a funk will match up tonight as the Colorado Rockies open their first series of the season at Petco Park against the San Diego Padres.
The Rockies will give the ball to rookie Eddie Butler on the mound tonight. Butler has a 3.27 ERA in four starts this year, but a 1.68 WHIP, having allowed 24 hits and 13 walks in 22 innings. The good news is that the walks are coming down for Butler, who walked 10 in his first two starts and just three in his last two.
A concern for Butler is that he has not lasted longer than six innings or 93 pitches in any of his outings this season.
Butler will face what is quickly becoming the Padres' everyday lineup, as Yangervis Solarte will get his third start in four games at second base in place of the struggling Jedd Gyorko.
The switch-hitting Solarte is off to a fast start in 2015, hitting .321/.387/.500 with four doubles and a pair of home runs in his first 56 at bats of the season.
The Padres will send veteran Ian Kennedy to the mound tonight. Kennedy has made just two starts this year sandwiched around a stint on the disabled list. He was removed from his first start on April 9 in the third inning with a hamstring strain and allowing eight runs to the Dodgers in 4⅓ innings in his return from injury.
Kennedy will face a Rockies lineup with a bit of a different look to it, as second baseman DJ LeMahieu and his .406 batting average hits leadoff for the first time in 2015. Regular leadoff hitter Charlie Blackmon is getting the day off with a stomach bug, according to Thomas Harding. He will be replaced in center field by Drew Stubbs, who bats eighth.
First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. Mountain time.