Free MLB Picks Today: Atlanta Braves vs Colorado Rockies 6/16/23

The Colorado Rockies (29-42) are on the road to face the Atlanta Braves (43-26) at Truist Park on Friday. The Braves took Thursday’s series opener 8-3.

Starter AJ Smith-Shawver went 5.2 innings for the win, giving up three runs on six hits and striking out six, and Michael Tonkin pitched 3.1 scoreless innings to earn his first save of the season.

Ozzie Albies went 3 for 4 with a double and three RBIs in the win. Sean Murphy also went 3 for 4 with a double and two runs. Ezequiel Tovar was 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs for the Rockies.

ON THE MOUND

Dinelson Lamet (1-3, 10.38 ERA) is in line to get the start for Colorado. The righty allowed three runs (two earned) over five innings in his last start, a 5-4 home win over the Padres on Sunday. He yielded six hits while striking out five and walking three in the no-decision.

Lamet is making his first appearance against the Braves this season. Over two appearances (zero starts) against the Braves in 2022, Lamet was 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA over 2.1 innings. He had four strikeouts and one walk.

Left-hander Jared Shuster (3-2, 5.05 ERA) will take the mound for Atlanta. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Rockies. In his last start on Saturday, Shuster got the win at home against the Nationals. He threw five innings and gave up three runs on eight hits in the 6-4 triumph.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Colorado has averaged 4.4 runs a game, equal to their season average. Against southpaws like Shuster this season, the Rockies have a .650 OPS, second lowest in the league.

Tovar is the team’s most productive hitter against left-handers with a .737 OPS in 65 at-bats. Atlanta is averaging 6.2 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 5.3 for the season.

The Braves have a .769 OPS against righties in 2023, the fifth highest in the league. With a .961 OPS over 214 at-bats, Ronald Acuna Jr. has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Colorado is 13-23 on the road in 2023, scoring 3.8 runs per game while allowing 4.7 runs. Atlanta has gone 21-15 at Truist Park this season, averaging 5.1 runs per game while surrendering 4.8. In the last 10 meetings at Truist Park, Colorado is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 4.4-4.1.