Braves at Rockies (2nd)
It seems Mother Nature is more concerned with fixing potential
drought conditions this summer in Colorado than allowing baseball to be
played in April on a consistent basis. The Rockies and Atlanta Braves,
who share the best record in baseball at 13-5, will play a day-night
doubleheader Tuesday after Monday's game was postponed because of snow.
It was the third game postponed at Coors Field in the last eight days as
spring storms continue to pepper Denver.
After 2-to-5 inches was
expected to fall Monday night, Tuesday's forecast calls for partly
cloudy skies with a high temperature of 34 degrees. The Braves, who got
off to a 12-1 start, have lost three straight to end a four-game series
in Pittsburgh and scored three runs during that span. The Rockies had
their eight-game winning streak snapped with Sunday's 5-4 loss to
Arizona, which also marked their first setback at home this season after
eight victories.
TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, Fox Sports South (Atlanta), ROOT Sports (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Julio Teheran (0-0, 7.31 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Jon Garland (2-0, 3.32)
Teheran
has struggled this season - opponents are hitting .318 - as he tries to
prove to Atlanta he can succeed on the major-league level. The
22-year-old Colombian has allowed at least four runs in each of his
three starts - all Braves' victories - and five home runs among 21 hits
yielded in 16 innings. Teheran has also issued seven walks, contributing
to a 1.75 WHIP. Teheran, who will make his eighth major-league start,
has never faced the Rockies or any of their players.
Colorado
signed Garland late in spring training after he asked Seattle for
his release when informed he would not be in its starting rotation.
Garland has been solid for the Rockies, pitching at least six innings in
his three starts. Garland worked seven innings - the only Rockies'
starter to do so this season - in an 11-3 victory over the New York Mets
on Thursday. Reed Johnson is 8-for-13 against Garland, while Jason
Heyward has struck out four times in seven at-bats.
WALK-OFFS
1. Atlanta has won nine of the last 12 meetings.
2.
Rockies CF Dexter Fowler did not start Sunday after being hit in the
hand by a pitch the night before. He pinch hit and drew a walk in the
ninth. Fowler missed four games last week because of a bruised foot.
3. Atlanta 1B Freddie Freeman (oblique) is expected to be activated from the 15-day disabled list prior to Tuesday's opener.