Colorado @ Chicago preview
Wrigley Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 25, 2012 ) Colorado 4, Chi. Cubs 3
The Colorado Rockies are riding a late wave of optimism - and with good reason. The Rockies will attempt to record their seventh victory in eight outings and clinch the three-game series on Sunday afternoon when they face the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Colorado will send Jhoulys Chacin to the mound after the right-hander returned from the disabled list with a gem in his last outing.
Josh Rutledge belted a two-run homer and fellow rookie Andrew Brown launched his first career blast in Saturday's 4-3 triumph. While the Rockies are trending in the right direction, the Cubs have dropped 19 of 24 to continue their abysmal season. Speaking of the No. 24, Chicago starter Chris Volstad will take the hill in hopes of ending a 24-start winless streak.
TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), WGN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Jhoulys Chacin (1-3, 6.16 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Chris Volstad (0-9, 6.88)
After being sidelined with right shoulder inflammation, Chacin permitted one run on four hits in six innings in a 6-2 win over the New York Mets on Tuesday. The 24-year-old Venezuelan is 1-2 versus the Cubs, but he tossed his lone career shutout against Chicago on April 15, 2011. Chacin has not faced Chicago this season.
Volstad has been brutalized this season, yielding 55 runs and 85 hits in 69 1/3 innings. The 25-year-old received a no-decision in his last outing after permitting four runs in six innings versus Cincinnati last Sunday. Volstad is 2-3 with a 5.64 ERA in five career appearances against Colorado.
WALK-OFFS
1. Chicago's Brett Johnson has homered in back-to-back games, but fellow rookie Anthony Rizzo has just seven hits in his last 38 at-bats.
2. Rockies OF Dexter Fowler was able to take batting practice on Saturday, just a few days removed from being limited to crutches due to his sprained right ankle. Fowler entered the game as a pinch hitter, but struck out in the ninth inning.
3. Colorado's Carlos Gonzalez, who is mired in a 1-for-16 slump, has enjoyed some success versus Volstad. Gonzalez is 3-for-6 in his career against the hurler.