The Atlanta Braves will continue their road trip on Monday and are in a strange quirk. Thanks to a snow out back in April, the Braves began a stretch of three games in three different cites with Sunday’s series finale in New York. They will head west to Colorado on Monday to make up a game that was originally scheduled to be played back on April 10. They will then pack up and head north to Toronto where they will wrap the trip up with two games against the Blue Jays.
As crazy as all of that sounds, an eight-game winning streak will likely make the trip more enjoyable. After starting the month of August with an 8-7 record, Atlanta has ripped off eight straight wins including back-to-back series sweeps against the Marlins and the Mets. This surge has pushed Atlanta’s lead in the NL East to 6.0 games over the Nationals and 11.5 over the Phillies.
Colorado comes into the series with a 58-72 record and in last place in the NL West division. They have lost four straight and are just 14-28 since the All-Star break. Despite fielding a lineup that includes the likes of Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story, the Rockies’ offense has been average to below average overall.
The Braves have won three of the five meetings between the two clubs this season including both played at Coors Field. Monday’s game will be broadcast exclusively for free on YouTube.com.
Monday, August 26, 3:10 p.m. ET (YouTube)
Julio Teheran (2019: 27 GS, 145.1 IP, 21.8 K%, 11.0 BB%, 3.53 ERA, 4.41 FIP, 5.20 xFIP, 78 ERA-)
At the beginning of the season we wondered if Julio Teheran would be able to hold on to his roster spot with the Braves let alone a spot in the rotation before the end of the season. He has gone out and put together his best season since 2016 while soaking up 145 innings to date.
Teheran was shelled two starts ago allowing eight hits and six runs in just 1 1/3 innings against the Mets. He came right back and continued his mastery of the Marlins in his last start allowing five hits while striking out nine over seven shutout innings. Teheran faced the Rockies back on April 8 and held them hitless over the first four innings before a six-run fifth ended his night.
Tim Melville (2019: 1 GS, 7.0 IP, 16.0 K%, 8.0 BB%, 1.29 ERA, 4.79 FIP, 6.34 xFIP, 25 ERA-)
Colorado right-hander Tim Melville will get the start opposite Teheran. Melville is a great story as he was out of baseball before signing with the Rockies in May. He made 18 appearances at Triple-A where he posted a 5.42 ERA (6.60 FIP) before being called up to the majors. In his first appearance in the majors since 2017, Melville held the Diamondbacks to two hits and one run over seven innings.
From there, the Braves will head to Toronto to face a Blue Jays team that is in the midst of a youth movement. Toronto is 53-79 on the season but has an eye on the future as three prized rookies have made their major league debuts in 2019.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. received most of the headlines early on but has posted a solid but rather quiet .278/.352/.468 line to go along with 15 home runs in his rookie season. He has been joined by Cavan Biggio (.205/.331/.360 10 HRs) and Bo Bichette who is hitting .345/.385/.682 with eight homers through his first 25 games.
Tuesday, August 27, 7:07 p.m. ET (Fox Sports Southeast)
Mike Soroka (2019: 23 GS, 141.2 IP, 19.7 K%, 5.8 BB%, 2.41 ERA, 3.22 FIP, 3.84 xFIP, 54 ERA-)
Mike Soroka will get the call in the series opener. Soroka has emerged as the Braves’ ace in his first full season in the majors. He is tied for second in the majors with a 2.41 ERA. He has allowed three runs or less in six straight starts and has gone at least seven innings in four of his last five. He held the Marlins to five hits and two runs while striking out five over seven innings in his last start.
TBD
The Blue Jays have not yet announced a starter for Tuesday’s game.
Wednesday, August 28, 7:07 p.m. ET (Fox Sports Southeast)
Mike Foltynewicz (2019: 15 GS, 82.1 IP, 21.1 K%, 8.1 BB%, 5.68 ERA, 5.66 FIP, 5.01 xFIP, 126 ERA-)
Mike Foltynewicz took another step in the right direction when he produced his best start of the season this past Friday against the Mets. Folty matched up against Jacob deGrom and allowed just two hits and one run while striking out seven over seven innings. He has posted a 3.91 ERA and allowed just four home runs in 23 innings since returning from the minors.
Jacob Waguespack (2019: 10 G, 7 GS, 52.0 IP, 18.6 K%, 6.5 BB%, 3.63 ERA, 4.27 FIP, 4.92 xFIP, 79 ERA-)
The Blue Jays will counter with right-handed Jacob Wageuspack in Wednesday’s series finale. Waguespack has pitched well since joining Toronto’s rotation posting a 2.97 ERA while allowing 13 runs over 39 1/3 innings as a starter. He has allowed eight earned runs over 12 2/3 innings as a reliever. He is coming off a solid outing where he allowed one hit and struck out five over seven shutout innings against the Dodgers.