Here is our preview of the Atlanta Braves upcoming series against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field, a place that has not been too kind to the Braves in recent seasons.
The Atlanta Braves head back to the road this week with their only stop in Denver this year to take on the Colorado Rockies.
Over the past five seasons, the Braves have really struggled at Coors Field, compiling a record of 6-13. Grant you, they were swept in back-to-back seasons in 2015 and 2016, when the rebuild was in full swing, but still, there has not been much success.
Even with the poor record, most of the lineup has had varying levels of success against Colorado, but I would assume most have success at the cavernous launching pad.
Check out these numbers:
- Dansby Swanson has hit .458 in 24 at-bats with seven extra base hits and an OPS of 1.435.
- Nick Markakis, in 53 at-bats, has hit .321 with an on-base percentage of .419.
- In 96 at-bats, Ender Inciarte has hit .302 with two home runs and nine runs batted in.
- Freddie Freeman has belted six homers and 18 RBIs in 102 at-bats
Needless to say, there will be some offense over these three games.
Weather Concerns
When in Denver – and especially when Winter hasn’t been convinced to fully lessen its grip on the Rockies – the weather is often likely to impact at least 1 game in each series. In this case, the most likely victim will be Wednesday’s contest.
The stadium is oriented to the North… a line drawn from home plate to straightaway center field points North. So winds from the North favor the pitchers and vice versa.
Here’s the rundown of expected game-time conditions:
- MONDAY: Not bad… 70-71°, 25% humidity, Wind out of the NW at 10 mph… suppressing (somewhat) fly balls hit to left field.
- TUESDAY: Middle 70’s, lower humidity, wind from the West at 13 mph (roughly foul pole to foul pole)
- WEDNESDAY: This could get dicey, despite an early afternoon game. 1-3 inches of snow expected starting in the afternoon with temperatures falling into… and through… the 30’s. Wind from the NNW at 17 and gusting to 31. Can we go ahead and bang this game now?
Let’s take a look at the pitching matchups: