July 11, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Max Fried (54) pitches to the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports Although things haven’t gone the way they’d hoped for for the Atlanta Braves recently, manager Brian Snitker found some positives heading into Denver’s weekend series against the Colorado Rockies.
“It always seems like four days (here),” Snitker said. “(I) kind of like just playing three (games).”
Atlanta’s slump continued, losing 6-5 to the Rockies in Friday’s series opener. It was the Warriors’ sixth straight loss, tying their worst skid of the season.
Braves left-hander Max Fried (7-6, 3.40 ERA) will start Saturday. The Rockies are expected to recall Dakota Hudson (2-12, 5.84 ERA) from Triple-A Albuquerque for his first major league appearance in more than a month.
Fried will be making his second start since coming off the injured list last week while recovering from a forearm ailment. He allowed five runs in 3 1/3 innings against the Miami Marlins on Sunday and tied a career high with five walks.
“Physically, I feel good,” Fried said after the 7-0 loss at home. “I just lost my rhythm. I couldn’t make adjustments when I needed to.”
It’s a common theme with the Braves, who are trying to stay positive despite losing an NFC wild-card spot.
“Man, it’s hard to describe because it’s a performance-based job,” said Jared Kelenic, who had three hits on Friday and ended the game representing a possible tie for first place. A chance for three. “As a team, it’s frustrating when we can’t produce results and win games.
“I do know that everyone (at the club) understands what we can and can’t control other than flushing this and showing up (Saturday).”
Fried could help Denver bounce back, going 1-0 with a 1.62 ERA in three games (two starts).
In five career games (four starts) against Colorado, Fried is 1-2 with a 3.00 ERA.
Fried got off to a slow start, but Hudson endured a rough series of games, leading the Rockies to designate him for assignment on July 7. The victory was achieved by a score of -2.
Injuries to the staff — German Marquez is suspended for the season this week, Ryan Feltner is on the injured list, Peter Lambert is nursing an injured thumb — leaves Colorado with few options. That opens the door for Hudson to return to a surface that has made him uncomfortable this season.
In nine home games in 2024, Hudson is 0-6 with an 8.26 ERA.
“It’s not a balanced situation for Dakota,” manager Bud Black said of the decision to assign him for assignment last month. “As the season unfolds, walks become troublesome. It’s just a collection of all his starts, not a collection at Coors Field.”
Hudson has faced Atlanta four times in his career, starting three of them, and is 1-1 with a 7.41 ERA.
–Scene-level media
