Braves at Rockies
The Colorado Rockies will receive a boost to their starting rotation and, far more importantly, an emotional lift when Chad Bettis takes the mound for the opener of a four-game set Monday against the Atlanta Braves. Bettis, a 14-game winner last year, makes his season debut after battling testicular cancer that required offseason surgery and chemotherapy earlier this year.
“What a great story for all of us,” Colorado manager Bud Black told reporters before Sunday’s game at Miami. “It has been just wonderful to watch.” Bettis joins a team tied with Arizona for the top National League wild-card spot, but Colorado has lost five of its past six after a 5-3 defeat Sunday in Miami capped a three-game sweep. The Braves ended a five-game losing streak Sunday and avoid a sweep at St. Louis with a 6-3 victory. Ender Inciarte finished 6-for-13 in the series and has recorded at least one hit in 16 of his past 17 contests.
TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Atlanta), AT&T SportsNet - Rocky Mountain (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Julio Teheran (7-10, 5.25 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Chad Bettis (2016: 14-8, 4.79)
Teheran is struggling through the worst season of his career, owning personal-worst (for a full season) numbers for ERA, homers allowed (28) and strikeouts through per innings (seven). He is 3-6 in his past 12 starts, averaging less than six innings an appearance while posting a 5.64 ERA, 16 homers and a .831 opponents OPS. Teheran gave up five runs on seven hits in a loss to the Phillies on Tuesday, his fourth defeat in his past five outings.
Bettis made 32 starts a season ago, setting career highs in victories and innings pitched (186) in his fourth season in the majors. He pitched in six games (five starts) on a minor-league rehab assignment between Triple-A Albuquerque and Double-A Hartford, going 0-3 with a 4.24 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 23 1/3 innings. Bettis, who turned 28 years old in April, is 3-1 with a 4.75 ERA in six career appearances (five starts) against the Braves, including a 1-0 mark in two starts last season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Atlanta rookie 2B Ozzie Albies begins the week with a five-game hitting streak.
2. The Rockies received a scare when 3B Nolan Arenado left Sunday’s game with a bruised left hand after being hit with a pitch; X-rays were negative.
3. Colorado hitters are 5-for-39 with runners in scoring position in the past five games.