Hyun-jin Ryu, Dodgers look for divisional success

The Dodgers start a road trip and a weekend series against the Rockies on Friday night, looking to make some noise within the National League West. Beginning Friday night, the Dodgers play 12 of their next 16 games within the division, including two series against Colorado.

The Dodgers are a mediocre 14-13 within their own division, mirroring their mediocre overall record of 31-30. And that 14-13 record began with four wins in five games, and includes eight wins in their first nine games against the Diamondbacks.

In 2013, the Dodgers were 37-39 against the NL West, but that was after a horrific 9-23 start against their division rivals.

Colorado took two of three games at Dodger Stadium in their only meeting with the Dodgers this season, including roughing up Hyun-jin Ryu on April 27, scoring six runs in five innings. Ryu was placed on the disabled list after that start with left shoulder inflammation but has been great since his return.

In three starts since his activation Ryu has 20 strikeouts against just one walk to go with a 3.26 ERA.

The Dodgers wil face right-handed pitcher Eddie Butler, who will be making his major league debut on Friday night. The 23-year-old was 4-4 with a 2.49 ERA in 11 starts with Double-A Tulsa this season, with 40 strikeouts and 19 walks.

Drew Creasman of Purple Row has a detailed breakdown of Butlers repertoire, which includes a fastball, slider and changeup:

[The changeup] could very well be the pitch that ends up setting Butler apart, especially at Coors Field where "bowling ball" like sink can be a pitchers best friend. The pitch falls off the table, he has a ton of confidence in throwing it, and for hitters gearing up for 96 and 97 mph, it's almost unfair.

The Dodgers were 5-4 in Denver in 2013, their first winning record on the road against Colorado since 2010. The Dodgers are 83-76 all-time at Coors Field.

Game info

Time: 5:40 p.m. PT

TV: SportsNet LA