Lineup, how to watch the Atlanta Braves Thursday series opener against the Colorado Rockies

Atlanta sends prospect AJ Smith-Shawver to the mound for his second career start

The Atlanta Braves, fresh off of their fourth consecutive series win, come back home for a four game series against the reeling Colorado Rockies. The Rox are 29-41, and have been even worse away from Denver, where they're 13-22. 

But at least we get to see Kelsey Wingert (now Lynch), former Braves sideline reporter who does sideline coverage for the Rockies, back in Truist Park. 

Lineup for the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, June 15th

Here's how the Braves will line up for the contest: 

New series on deck!#ForTheA pic.twitter.com/g6l915oaYG

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) June 15, 2023

In the first real shake-up we've seen of the lineup in some time, Matt Olson (who leads the team in homeruns but also in strikeouts) is batting fifth, with Ozzie Albies batting 2nd in his place. Eddie Rosario gets the day off for the Braves, with Kevin Pillar in left field batting 7th, and Marcell Ozuna the DH, batting sixth.

Pitching Matchup for the Atlanta Braves vs Colorado Rockies on Thursday, June 15th

Taking the bump for Atlanta is RHP AJ Smith-Shawver. The youngster is making his second career start, with seven and two-thirds innings with five strikeouts to three walks, with three hits and two unearned runs allowed. 

Opposing Atlanta is LHP Kyle Freeland. The thirty year-old is 4-7 in his fourteen starts for Colorado this season, with forty-nine strikeouts in his seventy-six innings. He's given up twelve homeruns, and walked nineteen. Several Atlanta Braves are familiar with Freeland, with Ronald Acuña Jr (3-8, HR, 2 RBIs), Matt Olson (1-8, HR, 2 RBIs), Kevin Pillar (4-9, HR, 3 RBIs), and Austin Riley (2-3, HR, RBI) having all taken him deep. 

How to Watch the Atlanta Braves vs Colorado Rockies on Thursday, June 15th

First pitch is at 7:20 PM ET in Truist Park. The game broadcast, with Voice of the Braves Brandon Gaudin, is available inside Braves Country on Bally Sports Southeast and is available on MLB.TV outside of the broadcast area. The radio call, with Ben Ingram, is available locally on 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan or outside the Atlanta market on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network or MLB.com. 

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