Colorado @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( May 23, 2014 ) Colorado 2, Atlanta 3

Freddie Freeman gets to face the Colorado Rockies in two series a season, but the Atlanta Braves first baseman has made the most of those opportunities. The Braves host the Rockies on Saturday and Freeman, who went 1-for-4 in Friday’s series-opening 3-2 victory, brings a .359 career average with 10 homers and 25 RBIs in 23 career contests against Colorado into the matchup. The Rockies will be without one of their top players as Gold Glove third baseman Nolan Arenado fractured his left middle finger sliding into second base in the second inning Friday.

Without Arenado – who leads all major-league third baseman with 23 extra-base hits – the Rockies will really need outfielder Carlos Gonzalez to return after missing the past two games with a swollen left index finger. Colorado right fielder Michael Cuddyer has provided a boost, going 6-for-16 in his first four games since missing more than a month with a sprained left hamstring. The Braves lead the National League East by three games and are 4-1 on their current nine-game homestand.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, Root (Colorado), SportSouth (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Juan Nicasio (4-2, 4.03 ERA) vs. Braves LH Mike Minor (2-2, 3.80)

Nicasio has pitched well in four May starts, going 2-1 with a 2.63 ERA and leaving his last outing Sunday against San Diego with a lead before getting a no-decision. He allowed four earned runs on nine hits against the Padres, but has surrendered just three earned runs in his other starts this month (18 innings). Nicasio has struggled against Atlanta in his career, allowing 20 earned runs in 18 1/3 innings while going 0-3 with a 9.82 ERA.

Minor has won his past two starts, allowing two earned runs in 13 1/3 innings in victories over San Francisco and Milwaukee. He threw 112 pitches in his last start against the Brewers on Monday, giving up two runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings. Minor won both his starts against Colorado last year and is 3-0 lifetime against the Rockies, posting a 3.96 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta 1B Freddie Freeman is 5-for-8 lifetime against Nicasio with three homers, a double, a triple and seven RBIs.

2. Colorado pulled infielder Josh Rutledge out of his game at Triple-A Colorado Springs in the third inning Friday, a move that could indicate Arenado may be heading for the disabled list.

3. Atlanta closer Craig Kimbrel struck out the side in earning the save Friday and has fanned seven of the 11 hitters he has faced in earning the save in each of his past three appearances.

PREDICTION: Braves 6, Rockies 3