Braves at Rockies
Freddie Freeman put together a strong opening six weeks in 2017 before a fractured wrist sidelined him for two months, and the first baseman again is off to a great start as the Atlanta Braves open a nine-game road trip Friday at the Colorado Rockies. Freeman hit .421 in helping the Braves win four of their first six games, and enters Friday leading or close to the major-league lead in runs scored (nine), RBIs (nine), walks (10) and on-base percentage (.621).
Part of the reason for Atlanta’s strong start is Freeman is getting help from some surprising sources, including left fielder Preston Tucker (two homers, eight RBIs in 21 at-bats) and third baseman Ryan Flaherty (10-for-23 with four doubles for a career .220 hitter). Colorado capped a 4-3 road trip to start the season with a 3-1 victory Thursday in San Diego, taking advantage of three walks and an error in a three-run ninth. Second baseman D.J. LeMahieu singled home two runs in the ninth and finished 2-for-4, raising his average to .320. Center fielder Charlie Blackmon also collected two hits and brings a slash line of .345/.406/.828 into the opener of the three-game series.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS South (Atlanta), AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Brandon McCarthy (1-0, 3.38 ERA) vs. Rockies RH German Marquez (0-0, 0.00)
McCarthy benefited from a huge uprising by the Braves offense to win his Atlanta debut Saturday, a 15-2 thumping of the Philadelphia in which he gave up two runs on six hits with five strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings. He pitched well for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season before a variety of injuries limited his availability in the second half, but McCarthy posted a 3.45 ERA in spring training. The 34-year-old logged a 12.60 ERA in two appearances against the Rockies last season.
Marquez struggled with his control in his first start Saturday against Arizona, walking four hitters and giving up four hits but no earned runs over five innings. The 23-year-old broke through last season in establishing himself as a key part of the Rockies rotation, going 11-7 with a 4.39 ERA in 29 starts. Marquez, who makes his first career appearance against the Braves, is 7-3 with a 4.29 ERA in 16 career appearances at home.
WALK-OFFS
1. Colorado relievers allowed one run on two hits in three innings Thursday, giving the bullpen a 5.33 ERA through seven games.
2. The Braves hope 3B Johan Camargo (oblique) and C Kurt Suzuki (hand bruise) will return at some point in the series.
3. Atlanta entered Thursday leading the majors in runs scored (48) and batting average (.297).