Hot-hitting Randal Grichuk will be looking to extend his 11-game hitting streak as the Colorado Rockies (56-75) face off against the Atlanta Braves (80-51) at Truist Park on Thursday with the three-game series even at 1-1.The Braves leveled the series 1-1 after winning 3-2 on Wednesday, their fifth head-to-head victory in six games this season. Starter Kyle Wright threw seven scoreless innings to get the win, and Kenley Jansen pitched the ninth to pick up his 30th save.Ronald Acuna Jr. went 1 for 4 with a solo home run in the win. Michael Toglia was 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs for the Rockies.
ON THE MOUND
Chad Kuhl (6-7, 5.17 ERA) is in line to get the start for Colorado. The righty allowed three runs over five innings in his last start, a 7-6 road defeat against the Mets on Friday. He yielded five hits while striking out four and walking one in the no-decision. Kuhl has made one previous start against the Braves this season, a 3-1 home loss on June 3. He allowed five hits over six scoreless innings, striking out three and walking two.For Atlanta, righty Spencer Strider (8-4, 2.87 ERA) gets the ball. He has made one prior start against the Rockies this season, giving up one runs over four innings in a 6-2 road win on June 4. He gave up two hits and walked five, while striking out five in the no-decision.In his last start on Friday, Strider got the win on the road against the Cardinals. He threw six innings and gave up one run on six hits, striking out seven and walking one in the 11-4 victory.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Colorado has averaged only 2.4 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.4, while slashing worse across the board (.234/.264/.298). Against righties like Strider this season, the Rockies have a .699 OPS. C.J. Cron is the team’s strongest hitter against right-handers with ann .867 OPS in 326 at-bats.Atlanta is averaging only 4.8 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.9 for the season. The Braves have a .747 OPS against right-handers in 2022, fifth highest in MLB. With a .362 OBP over 356 at-bats, Acuna Jr. has their highest on-base percentage against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Colorado is 20-43 in road games in 2022, scoring 3.1 runs per game while allowing 5.1 runs. Atlanta has gone 43-25 at Truist Park this season, averaging 4.9 runs per game while surrendering 3.8. In the last 10 games between the teams at Truist Park, Colorado is 8-2 with an average scoreline of 5.7-3.8.
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. They currently occupy one of the Wild Card spots, sitting first.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Atlanta Braves (-400)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
