The Atlanta Braves conclude their weekend series against the Colorado Rockies on Sunday afternoon. The Braves are currently in a tough spot, battling for a playoff position as the regular season winds down with about six weeks remaining. Conversely, the Rockies are having a dismal season, sitting at the bottom of the NL West Division. The game features a pitching duel between Braves’ rookie right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach (4-5, 4.04 ERA) and Rockies lefty Kyle Freeland (3-4, 5.65 ERA). Fans can expect the first pitch at 3:10 PM EST.
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Rookie Schwellenbach Takes the Mound for Atlanta
The Atlanta Braves face a challenging scenario as they seek to avoid missing the playoffs for the first time since 2017, a year that marked their sixth consecutive NL East title. Entering Colorado, the Braves endured a five-game losing streak, which was exacerbated by a narrow 6-5 defeat against the Rockies on Friday. This loss pushed the Braves down to third place in the NL East, trailing behind a determined New York Mets squad.
*This article was prepared before the conclusion of Saturday night’s game.
The Braves are optimistic that rookie right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach can build on his recent successes in the series finale against the Rockies. Schwellenbach has made 11 starts this season, recording a 4-5 record, and has tallied two quality starts. Throughout 64.2 innings pitched, he has allowed 57 hits while striking out 70 batters and walking only 10. In his last two outings, Schwellenbach has showcased impressive skills, striking out 21 hitters over 14 innings, including a standout performance against Miami where he struck out ten batters in a seven-inning stint.
Key Injuries: Center fielder Michael Harris II, reliever Jimmy Herget, starting pitcher Hurston Waldrep, second baseman Ozzie Albies, starting pitcher Huascar Ynoa, and reliever Tyler Matzek are sidelined.
Freeland on the Hill for Colorado
The Colorado Rockies are well out of the playoff race, but they still have the opportunity to play spoiler as the season approaches its final stretch. On Friday night, the Rockies upset the Braves with a 6-5 victory, highlighted by center fielder Brent Doyle’s decisive homer and run in the seventh inning.
*This article was prepared before the conclusion of Saturday night’s game.
On Sunday, Colorado will send veteran lefty Kyle Freeland to the mound for the series finale. Freeland holds a 3-4 record in 12 starts, including six quality outings. His current ERA stands at 5.65, and he has a WHIP of 1.49. Over 63.2 innings, Freeland has allowed 78 hits, struck out 55 batters, and walked 17. Known for pitching to contact, Freeland is most effective when inducing ground balls, although he has given up nine home runs this season. In his last outing, Freeland pitched 4.2 innings, allowing four hits and three runs while striking out seven, contributing to a 6-3 win over the Mets.
Key Injuries: Reliever Lucas Gilbreath, starting pitcher Antonio Senzatela, and reliever Daniel Bard are out.
Strategic Picks for Braves vs. Rockies
The Braves appear to be feeling the effects of injuries, dropping to third place in the NL East behind the Mets in both divisional and wildcard standings. They have struggled to compensate for the absence of star player Ronald Acuña Jr. for the season and center fielder Michael Harris II, who has been out for several weeks. Last season, the Braves boasted one of the league’s most potent offenses, but they now find themselves ranked 21st in baseball for runs per game. Nevertheless, the Braves possess enough talent to secure a victory on Sunday, especially with the emergence of rookie righty Schwellenbach. After a slow start following his promotion from the minors, Schwellenbach has excelled in recent appearances, highlighted by two consecutive seven-inning games where he racked up 21 strikeouts. He has effectively located his pitches, keeping hitters off balance, and should maintain this momentum against a Rockies lineup that has struggled. Freeland’s ERA is nearing six, and his history of allowing hits makes for a favorable matchup for the Braves. Notably, Colorado has recorded only 13 wins in 43-day games this season, while the Braves have triumphed in four of Schwellenbach’s last five starts.
