Free MLB Picks Today: Atlanta Braves vs Colorado Rockies 8/31/22

Hot-hitting Randal Grichuk will be looking to extend his 10-game hitting streak as the Colorado Rockies (56-74) face off against the Atlanta Braves (79-51) at Trust Park on Wednesday. The Rockies took Tuesday’s series opener 3-2, their first head-to-head victory in five games this season. Starter Jose Urena went five innings, allowing two runs on six hits and striking out six, to get the win, and Daniel Bard picked up his 27th save with a scoreless ninth. Brendan Rodgers was 2 for 5 with a triple and one run in the win. Austin Riley went 2 for 4 with a double and one run for the Braves.

ON THE MOUND

Ryan Feltner (2-5, 5.88 ERA) is slated to start for Colorado. The righty allowed three runs over 4.2 innings in his last start, a 3-1 road defeat against the Mets on Thursday. He was charged with the loss, giving up six hits while striking out two and walking two. Feltner has made one previous start against the Braves this season, an 8-7 home loss on June 5. He surrendered six runs on seven hits over three innings, striking out three and walking one. Righty Kyle Wright (16-5, 2.99 ERA) will take the mound for Atlanta. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Rockies. In his last start on August 24, Wright got the win on the road against the Pirates. He threw seven scoreless innings and gave up two hits, striking out eight and walking one in the 14-2 triumph. The right-hander is tied for the MLB lead in wins.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Colorado has averaged only 2.2 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.4, while performing worse across the board (.233/.263/.302). Against right-handed pitchers like Wright this season, the Rockies have a .699 OPS. C.J. Cron is the team’s strongest hitter against right-handers with a .867 OPS in 326 at-bats. Atlanta is averaging 7.0 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.9 for the season, with a higher slash line (.303/.367/.447). The Braves have a .747 OPS against right-handers in 2022, the fifth highest in the league. With a .362 OBP over 356 at-bats, Ronald Acuna Jr. has their highest on-base percentage against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Colorado is 20-42 away from home in 2022, scoring 3.1 runs per game while allowing 5.2 runs. Atlanta has gone 42-25 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 5.0 runs per game while surrendering 3.8. In the last 10 meetings at Trust Park, Colorado is 9-1 with an average scoreline of 6.0-3.8.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Rockies are fifth in the NL West, 35 games behind the division-leading Dodgers. The Braves are second in the NL East, three games behind the Mets.