The Atlanta Braves (42-26), one of the best offenses in MLB, is set to host the Colorado Rockies (29-41) at Truist Park on Thursday for the first of a four-game series.
The Rockies are in the midst of a 10-game road trip. They won two out of three in their last series against the Red Sox, dropping the finale 6-3 on Wednesday at Fenway Park. Ryan McMahon was 2 for 3 with a double, one run, and one RBI.
The Braves split their last series against the Tigers, taking both games of a series-ending doubleheader at Comerica Park on Wednesday. They followed up a 10-7 win in the opener with a 6-5 victory in the finale. Eddie Rosario went 2 for 3 with a home run and two runs in the second leg.
Ozzie Albies added a home run and a double. He scored two runs. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. Last season, the Braves won six of the seven games between the teams, including two out of three in their most recent meeting at Truist Park at the end of August.
ON THE MOUND
Kyle Freeland (4-7, 3.91 ERA) is in line to get the start for Colorado. The LHP allowed one run over five innings in his last start, a 3-2 home defeat against the Padres on Saturday. He gave up six hits while striking out five and walking two in the no-decision.
Freeland made one start against the Braves in 2022, a 6-2 home loss on June 4. He surrendered one run on five hits over seven innings, striking out three and walking one. RHP AJ Smith-Shawver (0-0, 0.00 ERA) gets the start for Atlanta.
In his last start on Friday, Smith-Shawver took a no-decision at home against the Nationals. He threw 5.1 innings and gave up two runs (0 ER) on three hits, striking out two and walking two in the 3-2 victory.
AT THE PLATE
The Colorado offense is averaging 4.5 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .257/.317/.402. McMahon leads the team in OPS at .844. The third baseman is slashing .267/.350/.494 with 10 home runs, 38 RBIs, and 39 runs over 68 games.
Against right-handed pitchers like Smith-Shawver this season, the Rockies have a .745 OPS. McMahon also is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .895 OPS in 171 at-bats.
Atlanta is slashing .264/.334/.467 for the season and averaging 5.2 runs per game, fourth best in MLB. Ronald Acuna Jr. leads the team with a .985 OPS. The right fielder has 15 home runs, 44 RBIs, and 59 runs scored with a slash line of .333/.405/.580.
The Braves have a .892 OPS against lefties in 2023, the highest in the league. With a 1.121 OPS over 71 at-bats, Albies has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Colorado is 13-22 in away games in 2023, scoring 3.8 runs per game while allowing 4.6 runs. Atlanta has gone 20-15 at Truist Park this season, averaging 5.0 runs per game while surrendering 4.9. Colorado is 7-3 in the last 10 games between the teams at Truist Park with an average scoreline of 4.6-3.6.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Rockies are fifth in the NL West, 13 games behind the division-leading Diamondbacks. The Braves lead the NL East by four games over the Marlins.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Atlanta Braves -1.5 (-125)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
