Preview: Braves searching for sweep of Rockies
The Atlanta Braves are chasing a sixth win in a row, hosting the Colorado Rockies at Truist Park on Sunday afternoon.
Atlanta’s offense has been operating on all cylinders this series, scoring 26 runs heading into the series finale. The long ball has been one of the main themes of the weekend with the Braves hitting eight home runs over the last three games.
The Braves have also sent three of their youngest pitchers to the mound each game, getting strong outings from AJ Smith-Shawver, Jared Shuster, and Bryce Elder.
Charlie Morton will get the ball for the series finale, with Chase Anderson starting on the other side for the Rockies.
What to watch for in Sunday’s game
First inning frenzy
If baseball games were only one inning, the Braves might only have like five losses.
Atlanta is the best team in baseball when it comes to scoring in the first inning, scoring a league-leading 66 runs in the opening frame. The next closest teams are the Dodgers with 59 and the Astros with 52.
The Braves are on pace to score 150 runs in the first inning this year. The 1999 team set the franchise record with 127.. The 1950 Red Sox set the MLB record with 160 first-inning runs. https://t.co/UuuPGf2XUg
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) June 17, 2023
Matt Olson also leads the majors in first-inning home runs with nine.
Travis Time
Sean Murphy avoided an IL stint (for now) after tweaking his hamstring in Saturday’s win, but with Chadwick Tromp getting the call up to Atlanta, Murphy will be out of the lineup for at least a couple of days.
Travis d’Arnaud was having a quiet June before hammering the Rockies for two very long home runs in Saturday’s win, one heading 474 feet.
He’s no stranger to this role and has become a solid offensive weapon for this lineup. Murphy’s injury hurts, but the Braves will survive whether he’s out for two days or two weeks.
Rockies (29-44) at Braves (45-26)
When: 1:35 p.m. ET
Where: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA
How to Watch: BSSO
How to Listen: 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan