The Scouting Report: Braves vs Rockies, Game Three
Lineups, pitching matchup, bullpen status, and what to watch this afternoon
It’s Atlanta Braves baseball! Let’s break down everything you need to know about this afternoon’s matchup.
Game Info
First Pitch: 3:10 PM ET
Location: Coors Field, Denver, CO
TV: BravesVision
Radio: 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan
Weather: 73° and intermittent clouds, wind NNW at 8 mph
Atlanta Braves Lineup
CF Mauricio Dubón
DH Drake Baldwin
2B Ozzie Albies
1B Matt Olson
3B Austin Riley
LF Eli White
C Jonah Heim
SS Jorge Mateo
RF Josè Azocar
Quick thoughts:
With Ronald Acuña Jr. (hamstring) hitting the injured list this morning, this is a new leadoff hitter for the first time this season.
And a new lineup, obviously, making it #24 across the team’s first 35 games.
Colorado Rockies Lineup
2B Edouard Julien
LF Mickey Moniak
DH Hunter Goodman
1B TJ Rumfield
RF Troy Johnston
3B Willi Castro
C Brett Sullivan
SS Ezequiel Tovar
CF Jake McCarthy
Quick thoughts:
Colorado’s back to their RHP-optimized lineup for this one, with 3B Kyle Karros and CF Brenton Doyle sitting in favor of 2B Edouard Juilien and CF Jake McCarthy (with Willi Castro shifting from second to third).
Pitching Matchup
Braves Starter: RHP Spencer Strider (2026 Debut)
Quick snapshot (2025):
4.45 ERA / 4.91 xERA / 4.53 FIP
24.3% K / 9.5% BB / 14.8% K-BB%
Pitch mix (2025):
vs LHH: 51% four-seamer, 29% slider, 12% curveball, 8% changeup
vs RHH: 52% four-seamer, 43% slider, 5% curveball, <1% changeup
What to watch:
In order, the things I’m going to be watching for Strider in this debut are velocity, locations, and fastball shape. Normally, fastball shape would be the primary thing, but it’s Coors Field and pitches (even fastballs) don’t move the same there, so let’s not jump to conclusions, yeah?
There will be a lot of people on social media who jump to conclusions.
Nobody on Colorado’s roster has more than six at-bats or two hits off of Strider, and none of them have taken him deep. Let’s hope this wasn’t a jinx
Opposing Starter: LHP Kyle Freeland (1-2, 3.48 ERA)
Quick snapshot:
3.48 ERA / 4.13 xERA / 4.07 FIP
19.5 K% / 5.7 BB% / 13.8% K-BB%
The arsenal:
Four-seamer (28%, 92.2 mph)
Curveball (25%, 83.0 mph)
Sweeper (16%, 83.7 mph)
Changeup (15%, 87.3 mph)
Cutter (14%, 88.2 mph)
Sinker (2%, 92.2 mph)
How he attacked hitters (all graphics courtesy of Thomas Nestico)
vs LHH: Sweeper/fastballs dominant, uses curve when ahead, adds in cutter when behind
vs RHH: 4S/curve early, adds changeup and sweeper when ahead, ramps up cutter when behind
Sequencing:
How to read a plinko chart: Each circle represents the usage of a pitcher’s arsenal in a given count (color key is on the bottom of the graphic). The thickness of the connecting lines reflects how often each count occurs, helping show how a pitcher navigates an at-bat.
What This Means for the Braves
The Braves have handled Freeland well in their respective careers, with five different Atlanta hitters taking him deep.
Watch Ozzie Albies today - in 24 ABs off of the lefty, he’s hitting .458 with a 1.125 OPS and five RBI (although no homers…yet)
Freeland’s been very good at first pitch strikes to righties, so there’s an ambush opportunity here.
Braves Bullpen Status
Likely available:
Robert Suarez and Tyler Kinley are both well rested and can take leverage innings today.
Used recently
Dylan Lee needed 14 pitches for the 8th inning last night, but can come back today to seal a win if needed.
Potential limitations:
Honestly, no one. Maybe they still don’t want to use Didier Fuentes, but Atlanta’s pen is in remarkably good shape given the recent roster moves.
Quick takeaway:
All hands on deck for the elusive road sweep.
Opponent Bullpen Status
Likely available:
All of Colorado’s top leverage arms - closer Victor Vodnik, breakout setup man Antonio Senzatela, and setup man Jimmy Herget - are rested and available today.
Used recently:
The only lefty in the pen, Brennan Bernandino, fired off 23 pitches as an opener yesterday but they might bring him back to avoid a sweep.
Potential limitations:
Tanner Gordon, however, threw 41 pitches yesterday and is down for today (and likely Monday, as well - maybe even Tuesday).
Quick takeaway:
Colorado has the pieces needed to secure a win, although their sole lefty might not be as sharp if they go to him.
What to Watch Today
How does Spencer Strider look in his 2026 debut? As I mentioned above, ignore the shape and watch the locations and how he holds the velo across multiple innings.
Can Freeland navigate through the lefty-mashing top of this Braves lineup? Seemingly no one else has been able to at this point in 2026.
Final Thought
Atlanta’s a run-and-a-half favorite (FanDuel) in what’s expected to be a high-scoring game.
Let’s Talk About It
If you’d like to also watch this, here’s the Braves Today live stream from this morning, after lineups were announced.