The Chicago Cubs and Colorado Rockies enter their three-game series this week with identical records and similar goals: Avoid 100 losses, avoid finishing as the second-worst team in baseball for 2012. One more win will keep the Cubs from matching their franchise record for losses, last set at 103 in 1966.
Chicago starts Chris Rusin (1-2, 6.00) on Tuesday night in Denver. The southpaw has started five times for the Cubs, giving them quality starts in two appearances and blowing up in the other three. Rusin will face Jorge De La Rosa (0-1, 12.27), who made his first start in 16 months last Thursday, a 9-2 loss to San Francisco.
Lineups as follows:
Cubs (59-94)
1. Dave Sappelt (R) RF
2. Darwin Barney (R) 2B
3. Anthony Rizzo (L) 1B
4. Alfonso Soriano (R) LF
5. Starlin Castro (R) SS
6. Welington Castillo (R) C
7. Josh Vitters (R) 3B
8. Joe Mather (R) CF
9. Chris Rusin (L) P
Rockies (59-94)
1. Josh Rutledge (R) SS
2. Tyler Colvin (L) CF
3. Jordan Pacheco (R) 1B
4. Wilin Rosario (R) C
5. Chris Nelson (R) 3B
6. Andrew Brown (R) LF
7. Matt McBride (R) RF
8. DJ LeMahieu (R) 2B
9. Jorge De La Rosa (L) P