Colorado @ Atlanta preview
Turner Field
Last Meeting ( Apr 24, 2013 ) Atlanta 5, Colorado 6
Brandon Beachy hopes to make his return to the mound a triumphant one on Monday as the Atlanta Braves open a four-game series against the visiting Colorado Rockies. "I've been waiting a long time for this," said Beachy, who underwent right elbow ligament-replacement surgery in June 2012. Atlanta, which completed its eighth sweep of the season with a 5-2 victory over St. Louis on Sunday, holds an 8 1/2-game lead over Washington in the National League East.
While the Braves are comfortably atop their division, the Rockies wrapped up a 5-5 homestand to sit six games behind the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers. Troy Tulowitzki homered for the second straight day as Colorado posted a 6-5 victory over Milwaukee on Sunday to win the rubber match of the three-game set. The Rockies competed in the series without slugger Carlos Gonzalez, who sat out with a sprained right middle finger.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), SPSO (Atlanta)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies LH Jorge De La Rosa (10-5, 2.97 ERA) vs. Braves RH Brandon Beachy (2012: 5-5, 2.00)
De La Rosa posted his second win in three straight strong outings on Wednesday, scattering five hits over six scoreless innings in a 2-1 victory over Miami. The 32-year-old Mexican has permitted just three runs over his last 17 innings, but has issued eight walks to drive up his pitch count. De La Rosa split a pair of decisions versus the Braves despite yielding 11 runs while brandishing a gaudy 7.24 ERA.
With Tim Hudson sidelined following a season-ending ankle injury, manager Fredi Gonzalez would love for Beachy to step right in and return to his pre-injury 2012 form. The 26-year-old, who is not expected to surpass a 100-pitch count on Monday, recorded a 2.50 ERA during his final four rehab starts. Beachy would be wise to keep an eye on Tulowitzki, who is 3-for-5 with a homer in his career versus the hurler.
WALK-OFFS
1. Atlanta INF Chris Johnson, who is riding a six-game hitting streak, collected seven hits against St. Louis and leads the NL with a .338 average.
2. Colorado OF Michael Cuddyer, who homered among his two hits on Sunday, has hit in all but two games since the All-Star break.
3. The Braves took two of three between the teams when they squared off in Colorado on in April.
PREDICTION: Braves 4, Rockies 2