MLB Game Preview - Atlanta at Colorado

Mon Aug 26, 2019 3:10 PM EDT

The Atlanta Braves are finally wrapping up their series at Coors Field -- more than four months and a whole lot of miles later.

The scorching Braves, winners of eight in a row after sweeping the Mets in New York on Sunday, flew to Denver after the game for a makeup of a game originally scheduled for April that was postponed due to inclement weather. A win over Colorado on Monday would give Atlanta a sweep of that series and continue its push for the National League East title.

Atlanta, at 80-52, sits six games ahead of Washington in the division and faces a Colorado team that has lost six of its last seven after getting swept in a four-game series at St. Louis over the weekend. The Cardinals won 11-4 on Sunday.

The Braves bolstered their bench this week when they signed catcher Francisco Cervelli after he was let go by Pittsburgh. Cervelli made an immediate impact, getting three hits in a win over the Mets on Saturday night, and he's making the most of his opportunity with playoff-bound Atlanta.

"I was playing like a little kid," Cervelli told reporters after Saturday's win. "That's all that matters, man. From now on, just enjoy every game, every opportunity, and do what I have to do."

The Braves will send right-hander Julio Teheran to the mound in Denver against Colorado's Tim Melville. Teheran (8-8, 3.53 ERA) has pitched well over the last two months despite giving up six runs to the Mets in 1 1/3 innings on Aug. 15.

Teheran posted a 1.48 ERA in five July starts and will go against a team against which he's enjoyed great success. In 11 career starts against the Rockies he is 6-1 with a 2.87 ERA. He is 2-1 with a 4.30 ERA in five career starts at Coors Field.

Colorado's depleted rotation has given Melville (1-0, 1.29) a chance for an extended audition. The 29-year-old journeyman was pitching in the Atlantic League this spring when the Rockies signed him to a minor league deal.

When Jon Gray was lost for the season with a fractured foot, Melville was called up and started at Arizona on Wednesday. He was impressive in his debut, giving up one run on two hits over seven innings to get his first major league win. He also got his first career hit. It was his first game in the big leagues since a relief appearance for San Diego on Sept. 25, 2017.

Melville, who has never faced the Braves in his career, is grateful for the opportunity he has gotten with Colorado.

"You win or you learn, I never look at it as losing," Melville said after beating the Diamondbacks. "I've had a lot of ups and downs throughout my career, especially in other opportunities I've had in the big leagues. I'm just very thankful for this one, and to be able to capitalize and get a 'W' today for the team."

--Field Level Media