The Atlanta Braves (43-26, 21-15 home) continue a four-game set with the Colorado Rockies (29-42, 13-23 away) with Game 2 of the series on Friday night. Atlanta scored five runs in the second inning of the series opener to take Game 1, 8-3 on Thursday.
The first pitch of the contest is at 7:20 p.m. EST inside Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. Atlanta is a heavy betting favorite (-260 moneyline), and the over/under total is ten runs.
What to Know – Colorado Rockies
Colorado has lost two in a row heading into the weekend after winning three in a row earlier in the week. The Rockies find themselves at the bottom of the NL West, trailing the leading Arizona Diamondbacks by 13 games.
The probable starter for the visitors is right-hander Dinelson Lamet (1-3, 10.38 ERA, 2.31 WHIP). The 30-year-old has been used primarily out of the bullpen this season but will log his fourth start of the year. In 15 appearances, Lamet has tallied 21.2 innings of work, allowing 25 earned runs, 33 hits, 17 walks, and striking out 26 batters.
Colorado ranks ninth in the majors with a .256 team batting average and scores 4.4 runs per game. The Rockies’ pitching staff is the worst in the National League, sporting a 5.19 team earned run average.
Ryan McMahon leads the team with ten home runs and 38 runs batted in. Elias Diaz has added 34 RBIs, and Ezequiel Tovar is next in line with 30. The Rockies have been without Kris Bryant since the end of May as he rehabs from a heel injury.
What to Know – Atlanta Braves
Atlanta carries a three-game winning streak into the weekend and have won ten of its last 12 games. The Braves sit atop the NL East division, holding a five-game advantage over the Miami Marlins.
On the hill for the hosts is southpaw Jared Shuster (3-2, 5.05 ERA, 1.37 WHIP). The southpaw has been decent in his rookie season, although the 24-year-old won’t eat up many innings. Shuster has thrown 35.2 innings over seven trips to the mound, surrendering 20 earned runs on 30 hits and 19 walks while striking out 21 batters.
The Braves are the best hitting team in the NL, hitting .265 as a team while averaging 5.3 runs per game. Atlanta’s pitching staff is also one of the best in the MLB, sitting eighth with a 3.83 team ERA.
Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuna Jr. have 15 home runs apiece, and Acuna Jr. ranks second in the MLB with a .331 batting average. Albies leads the team with 47 RBIs, while Matt Olson has a team-high 19 home runs and 46 RBIs.
The Pick is In
Atlanta is arguably the best team in the NL hosting a rebuilding Rockies lineup that is currently without one of their best offensive weapons.
Shuster pitches well enough to give the Braves’ offense a chance to open up the game early and run away with the second game of the series.
The Pick: Atlanta Braves -1.5
