Danielle: Chris Sale just threw a complete-game shutout against the Dodgers, and now the Braves are back home to face the Rockies. But here's the thing — the Rockies are the worst team in the NL West, and the Braves have a chance to pad their lead. Are they going to take care of business?
Eric: Danielle, after that sweep, this is exactly the kind of series a first-place team has to win. But the Rockies aren't a pushover — they've got some young arms that can surprise you. Let's break it down.
Danielle: Welcome back to Beatline, the daily podcast for Braves Country. I'm Danielle, and as always, I'm joined by the sharpest baseball mind we know, Eric. Today is Friday, August 28th, and we're fresh off a huge sweep of the Dodgers.
Eric: That was a statement series. Sale was untouchable, and the offense did just enough. But now it's a new series, a new opponent, and we've got three things to get you ready for tonight's game against the Rockies.
Danielle: First, we'll break down the pitching matchup and what to expect from the Rockies' lineup. Then, we'll talk about the key hitters and the bullpen questions, plus the latest on the injury front. And finally, we'll give you our keys to the series and a bold prediction.
Danielle: Alright, Eric, let's start with the pitching. The Braves are sending someone to the mound tonight — who's the probable starter, and what should we expect?
Eric: We don't have the official announcement yet, but based on the rotation, it's likely either Tyler Mahle or AJ Smith-Shawver. Mahle has been solid since coming off the IL, and Smith-Shawver has shown flashes. Either way, they're facing a Rockies team that's 52-82 and in fifth place in the NL West.
Danielle: A team that's 30 games under .500 — that's got to be a favorable matchup, right?
Eric: On paper, yes. But the Rockies have some young hitters who can be dangerous. They're not going to just roll over. The Braves need to execute their game plan and not get complacent.
Danielle: And what about the Rockies' pitching? Who are they throwing at us?
Eric: We'll have to see, but their rotation has been a mess all year. They've got a lot of young arms, some unproven. The Braves' hitters should have opportunities to put up runs, especially with the way they've been swinging the bats.
Danielle: Let's talk about that momentum. The Braves just swept the Dodgers, who are 80-53 and leading the NL West. That's a huge confidence boost. How does that carry over into a series against a weaker team?
Eric: It's a classic trap series. You come off a high, face a bad team, and you might let your guard down. The Braves need to stay focused. They've been playing well at home — they've got a home win streak going — and they need to keep that going.
Danielle: Right, and we talked about that home win streak yesterday. It's a real thing. The Braves are dominant at Truist Park. That should give them an edge.
Eric: Absolutely. And with the division lead at stake, every game matters. They're 79-55, first in the NL East, but they can't afford to drop games to a team like Colorado.
Danielle: So what's the one thing the Braves absolutely have to do on the mound tonight to keep the Rockies in check?
Eric: Throw strikes. The Rockies are aggressive early in counts. If the Braves can get ahead, they can exploit that aggressiveness. If they fall behind, the Rockies can do damage.
Danielle: Got it. Now let's shift to the bats. We've got some key hitters who need to step up. Who are you watching in this series?
Eric: Well, you've got to start with Ronald Acuña Jr. He's been on fire, and he's been stealing bases like crazy. We predicted he'd steal two and score the winning run against the Dodgers, and he did exactly that in the opener. He's a game-changer.
Danielle: And Austin Riley — he's been hitting the ball hard. We predicted a two-run homer in the sixth inning a few days ago, and he's been delivering in big moments.
Eric: Riley's been locked in. And then there's Matt Olson. He's the anchor of that lineup, and he's been getting on base consistently. If he gets going, this offense is tough to stop.
Danielle: What about the catcher situation? Drake Baldwin has been impressive, especially with that leadoff homer against Yamamoto. How do you see the catching role playing out?
Eric: Baldwin has earned more playing time. He's got power, he's got a good eye, and he's handled the pitching staff well. Sean Murphy is still there, but Baldwin's bat might be too good to keep out of the lineup.
Danielle: Now, the bullpen. We know there have been concerns. Who's available out there, and what should we expect in close games?
Eric: The bullpen has been a patchwork all year. Raisel Iglesias is the closer, and he's been solid. But there are a lot of injuries — Reynaldo Lopez is on the 15-day IL, Joe Jimenez on the 60-day, Robert Suarez on the 15-day, Spencer Strider on the 60-day, and Spencer Schwellenbach on the 60-day. That's a lot of key arms missing.
Danielle: Wow, that's a long list. How are they managing with all those injuries?
Eric: They've been relying on guys like Dylan Lee, Ray Kerr, and Victor Mederos. They've stepped up, but it's not the same as having a fully healthy bullpen. The starters need to go deep to limit exposure.
Danielle: And what about the offense against the Rockies' pitching? Any concerns there?
Eric: The Rockies have some young pitchers who can be unpredictable. But overall, the Braves should have the advantage. They need to be patient, work counts, and get to the bullpen early.
Danielle: Let's talk about the defense. The Braves have been solid in the field. How important is that in this series?
Eric: Defense is always key, especially with a young pitching staff. The infield with Olson, Albies, Kim, and Riley is solid, and the outfield with Acuña, Harris, and Dubon covers a lot of ground. If they make the routine plays, they'll be fine.
Danielle: And what about the bench? Any guys who could make an impact?
Eric: They've got guys like Lane Thomas and Eric Yastrzemski who can come off the bench and give you a spark. And Dominic Smith has been a solid DH option. Depth is good.
Danielle: Alright, Eric, let's wrap it up with our keys to the series. What do the Braves need to do to take care of business against the Rockies?
Eric: First, they need to get quality starts. If the starter can go six or seven innings, that takes pressure off the bullpen. Second, they need to score early and often. The Rockies are a team that can get discouraged if they fall behind.
Danielle: And third?
Eric: Third, they need to stay focused. Don't look past the Rockies. Every game counts, and they need to keep the momentum rolling.
Danielle: Speaking of momentum, let's talk about that bold prediction. Last time we predicted Acuña would steal two and score the winning run — and he did. So what's your bold prediction for this series?
Eric: I'll go with this: Austin Riley will hit a home run in each of the first two games of the series. He's been seeing the ball well, and the Rockies' pitching is vulnerable. That would be a huge boost.
Danielle: I like that. And I'll add one more: The Braves will win at least two of three, and they'll score at least six runs in the series opener. The bats are hot, and they're at home.
Eric: That's a solid prediction. Let's see if they can back it up.
Danielle: That's all for today's episode. Recap: We looked at the pitching matchup, the key hitters, the bullpen concerns, and our keys to the series. Remember to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast, and share it with your fellow Braves fans.
Eric: And as always, go Braves!
Danielle: We'll see you tomorrow. Until then, Braves Country, stay loud!