Blue Jays and Rockies meet in Tulowitzki’s homecoming: Full series preview

Game 2:  Tuesday, June 28th  –  8:40 p.m. ET

J.A. Happ (9-3, 3.42 ERA)  vs.
Eddie Butler (2-4, 6.71 ERA)

Eddie Butler has been rocked at home this season. And, well, in general.

The right-hander has allowed 11 home runs in just 51.0 innings pitched, and without dominant strikeout numbers (6.0 K/9) or ground ball rates (45%) to back that up, this is looking like an ideal matchup for the Blue Jays bats.

His past four outings have been especially rough, and it’s surprising that he’s stuck in the starting rotation for this start. His last time out against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Butler allowed six runs on eleven hits over 5.0 innings pitched. The start prior, six runs crossed on just nine hits over three and a third.

Expect to see Butler feature a 92-93 MPH fastball about 60% of the time with a slider as his go-to secondary pitch. He’ll also throws a curveball and changeup, but typically only turns to those a handful of times each game.

In Happ, the Blue Jays are also turning to an arm that is prone to the odd home run. He’s allowed 12 deep flies in 94.2 innings this season, but on the whole, has proven to be an excellent offseason addition that is not only eating up more innings than expected, but he’s making them count.

Happ is coming off three wins in three starts, but did struggle with control in his last outing which limited it to just five innings. Regardless, he managed to limit the Diamondbacks to just two runs by striking out eight. In his start prior, Happ pitched seven innings of shutout ball against the Phillies, allowing just three hits.

He’ll have the opportunity to be the first Blue Jays starter to 10 wins.

Next: Game 3: Can Sanchez prove to be the anti-Coors