Colorado Rockies Game #27 Preview: Rockies try to hold off Dodgers, weather

After a doubleheader sweep at the hands of the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, the Rockies will welcome the division-leading Dodgers to Coors Field for the first time this season.

Rookie Eddie Butler takes the mound tonight for the Rockies for his sixth start of the season. He has pitched 26 innings in his first five outings of 2013, with a 3.81 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP with 15 walks and 16 strikeouts.

This will be the fourth of Butler's nine career starts to come against Los Angeles. He has a 7.80 ERA and a 2.07 WHIP in his first three career starts against the Dodgers. He did, however, give up just two runs on six hits in five innings in a start at Dodger Stadium this season on April 19.

Veterans Carl Crawford and Howie Kendrick will not start for the Dodgers tonight, with Alex Guerrero and Justin Turner in their places. Guerrero has six home runs in 38 at bats this season.

While the marquee name in the Los Angeles lineup is that of first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, the Dodgers' most dangerous hitter right now might just be catcher Yasmani Grandal, who bats fifth. Grandal has hit .600 (12-for-20) with three home runs over the past week. Center fielder Joc Pederson bats leadoff and is tied with Gonzalez for the team's lead in home runs with nine.

Former Rockie Brett Anderson starts on the mound for the Dodgers. He has a 4.21 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in five starts and 25⅔ innings this season. Anderson pitched just 43⅓ innings over eight starts with the Rockies last season, posting a 2.91 ERA. He has a 3.54 ERA in four career starts at Coors Field.

The Rockies will play all of their regular starters today, with Charlie Blackmon and Corey Dickerson at the top of the lineup, Troy Tulowitzki batting third and the slumping Carlos Gonzalez once again hitting sixth. Colorado also has Wilin Rosario as an option on the bench tonight after recalling him from Triple-A Albuquerque.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 Mountain time.