Colorado @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( May 13, 2013 ) Colorado 1, Chi. Cubs 9

The Chicago Cubs' Carlos Villanueva deserves better. He has been removed from a game with the lead in five of his seven starts, but has only one win in those contests. Villanueva, in his first season as a full-time starter, hopes to be in that position again - with better support from his bullpen this time - when the Cubs host the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday. The Rockies counter with Jeff Francis, who is off to a poor start but pitched better in his last outing before being interrupted by rain.

Colorado must get its offense going as it tries to avoid losing its fourth straight series. The Rockies have scored 17 runs in their last eight games - including an 8-2 victory Sunday at St. Louis - and were nearly no-hit in the previous two contests against the Cardinals. Colorado has lost five of its last six games and 14 of 21 after a franchise-record 13-4 start. The Cubs have won five of their last seven after Monday's 9-1 victory as they continue to work their way back to respectability.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ROOT Sports (Colorado), Comcast SportsNet Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies LH Jeff Francis (1-3, 6.90 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Carlos Villanueva (1-2, 3.02)

Francis allowed two runs and four hits in four innings against the New York Yankees on Thursday before a 1-hour, 59-minute rain delay cut his start short. Since pitching six innings in winning his season opener, the 32-year-old Vancouver native has not pitched more than five innings in a start. Francis lowered his ERA by 1.54 by yielding eight runs in 14 innings over his last three turns. He is 1-0 with a 7.67 ERA and .328 batting average against in six starts against the Cubs.

Villanueva, who has appeared in 308 games - 63 starts, allowed three runs in 6 2/3 innings against St. Louis on Wednesday. He left with a 4-3 lead before the Cardinals rallied for a 5-4 victory. The 29-year-old Dominican Republic native lost his previous two starts after yielding five runs in 29 1/3 innings during his first four turns. Villanueva will make his first start against the Rockies - he is 1-0 in 11 games versus Colorado with a 10.05 ERA and .354 batting average against.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs 3B Luis Valbuena missed his second straight game Monday - but was available to pinch hit - after injuring his pinky finger while sliding Saturday. Valbuena is hitting .272 with five homers and 13 RBIs.

2. Rockies reliever Rex Brothers has made 15 consecutive scoreless appearances. The left-hander has allowed one run in 17 1/3 innings this season.

3. Cubs LF Alfonso Soriano hit his 376th career home run Monday, tying him with Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk for 69th all-time.

PREDICTION: Cubs 3, Rockies 2