Mar 28, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Julio Teheran (49) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Photo Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The Atlanta Braves are in the middle of a nice streak while the Colorado Rockies are experiencing a dreadful start.
The Braves will look to remain hot and the Rockies hope to halt their woes when the teams open a three-game series in Denver on Monday.
Atlanta has won five of its past six games to overcome an 0-3 start. The Braves are coming off a 4-3 walk-off victory over the Miami Marlins on Sunday as shortstop Dansby Swanson delivered the victorious single.
Meanwhile, Colorado has dropped seven of its past eight games. The Rockies were outscored 29-14 while suffering a three-game sweep against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Colorado lost 12-6 to the Dodgers on Sunday night.
Making matters worse is that the Rockies could be without All-Star shortstop Trevor Story and left fielder David Dahl.
Story departed Sunday’s game after the seventh inning with Achilles soreness. Manager Bud Black said the injury tightened up as the game progressed and that Story is day-to-day. Story told reporters after the contest that he plans to be in Monday’s lineup.
Dahl reached for his left side after striking out in the first inning and departed the contest after the second inning. Black said the injury was to Dahl’s abdomen or oblique area.
“We have our fingers crossed,” Black said during an in-game interview with ESPN. “We hope it’s just a tweak.”
Black said afterward that both players will be re-evaluated Monday.
On the mound, left-hander Kyle Freeland (1-1, 2.31 ERA) will look for another strong effort in the series opener.
The Colorado ace has allowed just five hits while striking out 15 in 11 2/3 innings over his first two starts. The 25-year-old fanned 10 in 4 2/3 innings and gave up three runs (two earned) and three hits while losing to the Tampa Bay Rays in his last effort.
Freeland is 1-1 with a 4.13 ERA in four career starts against the Braves.
Atlanta right fielder Nick Markakis is 5-for-11 with two homers against Freeland.
Right-hander Julio Teheran (0-1, 3.60) will start for the Braves and he pitched five innings in each of his first two starts.
The 28-year-old received a no-decision against the Chicago Cubs in his last turn when he struck out seven in five innings and gave up one run and six hits.
Teheran has thrived against the Rockies by going 5-1 with a 2.25 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 10 career starts. He is 1-1 with a 2.96 ERA in four outings at Coors Field.
Rockies star third baseman Nolan Arenado is just 3-for-17 against Teheran.
Swanson is off to a solid start for the Braves by batting .346 with three homers and nine RBIs. He went 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs in Sunday’s victory.
Swanson is trying to keep the strong start in perspective. He batted .358 over his first 16 appearances last season before he began experiencing issues with his left wrist.
He ended up hitting .238 and underwent surgery in the offseason.
“It’s been a challenge at times, but to go through so much stuff and get to this point now is fun,” Swanson told reporters after Sunday’s game. “But at the end of the day, this game is hard. So you just keep getting after it and preparing. That will lead to good things.”
Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman slugged his first homer on Sunday. The three-time All-Star is batting .419 in 31 at-bats.
Braves left fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. is batting just .129 with two homers in 31 at-bats.
