MLB Game Preview - Colorado at Atlanta
Sat Apr 27, 2019 7:20 PM EDT

BAL
2
MIN
9
F
CIN
3
STL
6
F
OAK
1
TOR
7
F
SD
8
WSH
3
F(10)
TB
2
BOS
1
F
NYY
6
SF
4
F
CLE
3
HOU
4
F(10)
MIA
9
PHI
12
F
MIL
8
NYM
6
F
LAA
4
KC
9
F
COL
9
ATL
5
F
CHC
9
ARI
1
F
TEX
15
SEA
1
F
PIT
1
LAD
3
F
DET
CHW
PPD
Braves get Foltynewicz back to tangle with Rockies
Sat Apr 27, 2019 3:56 AM

Well known for their home-field success, the Colorado Rockies instead lost all five games of their opening homestand, and still have a losing record at home, while they're .500 on the road, including Friday night's win in Atlanta to open a three-game series.

So playing an away series is not intimidating to these guys. But Saturday's game could be a little more difficult when they face Braves right-hander Mike Foltynewicz. It will be Foltynewicz's season debut, and the energy should be higher than usual for a late-April game.

Foltynewicz started the season on the injured list because of a bone spur that began bothering him in his spring debut on Feb. 24. Atlanta had high hopes for him after he went 13-10 with a 2.85 ERA in 31 starts in 2018.

He battled elbow soreness last season but was able to make it through the season. He had 202 strikeouts in 183 innings for the NL East champs while walking only 68. He allowed 130 hits.

Foltynewicz made four rehab starts with Triple-A Gwinnett leading up to this weekend, and his numbers weren't impressive. He allowed 12 earned runs in 17 2/3 innings, but more importantly he said his arm felt good, which was good news to Atlanta manager Brian Snitker.

"The (statistical) line wasn't what the stuff was," Snitker told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "His stuff was right where it needs to be. Physically, everything is great. He won't have, really, any limitations (Saturday)."

Facing the Rockies in his season debut might not be best for Foltynewicz. In eight career games against Colorado -- six of them starts -- he is 0-4 with a 4.11 ERA. He has allowed 20 runs and 34 hits in 35 innings against the Rockies.

Foltynewicz will try to get his team out of a mini-skid. The Braves have lost three of their last four and have fallen below .500. Atlanta swept two games in Colorado in early April and hope to get back on track against the Rockies after losing the weekend opener 8-4.

Foltynewicz will go against Colorado right-hander Jon Gray, who has pitched well after a rough 2018 season. He finished 12-9 but with a 5.12 ERA. He struggled down the stretch and was left off the postseason roster.

His 2019 started like last season ended, but his last three starts have been much better. Since allowing five runs to the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 6, Gray has gone 2-1 and allowed just two runs in the last 19 2/3 innings.

"I just feel like I'm making really good pitches at crunch time," Gray said after shutting out the Phillies over six innings on Sunday. "I'm slowing down, making the pitch and not trying to do too much. I'm calm, but I'm still in attack mode."

He should feel confident going into Saturday's game. In five career starts against Atlanta he is 3-0 with a 1.64 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 33 innings.

With ace Kyle Freeland on the injured list for at least one start, the Rockies need their one-time No. 1 pitcher to repeat the success he has had against the Braves and get the seven-game road trip off to a great start.

--Field Level Media

Team Record Comparison

Team Standings GB W-L Aw/Hm Stk L10
Colorado            
Atlanta            

Scheduled Starting Pitchers

Jon Gray - TEX
Matchup
Season
vs. Opp Has not pitched vs. Atlanta
Mike Foltynewicz - (N/A)
Matchup
Season
vs. Opp Has not pitched vs. Colorado

Hot Batters (Last 10 team games)

Injury Report

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