Game Preview: Bergman makes his season debut against the Braves

The Rockies are dipping into the prospect well once again, as Christian Bergman makes his Major League debut. He isn't the flashiest of the Rockies' depth pieces, but his 3.84 ERA in the launching pad that is Colorado Springs is very solid. His debut won't drum up as much excitement as Butler's did*, but the new toys are still fun to play with. He won't strike many people out with his average offerings, but he has always limited walks and will try to work the corners of the plate.

* :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :(

The lineup behind him today is...urm...well, just look.

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<h3>Today's Lineups</h3>
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<th align="left">ATLANTA BRAVES</th>
<th align="left">COLORADO ROCKIES</th>
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<tr><td class="td-last td-name">Jason Heyward - RF</td><td class="td-first td-name">C. Blackmon - RF</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">B.J. Upton - CF</td><td class="td-first td-name">Drew Stubbs - CF</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Freddie Freeman - 1B</td><td class="td-first td-name">Justin Morneau - 1B</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Justin Upton - LF</td><td class="td-first td-name">Troy Tulowitzki - SS</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Evan Gattis - C</td><td class="td-first td-name">Corey Dickerson - LF</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Chris Johnson - 3B</td><td class="td-first td-name">Mike McKenry - C</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Tommy La Stella - 2B</td><td class="td-first td-name">C. Culberson - 3B</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">A. Simmons - SS</td><td class="td-first td-name">DJ LeMahieu - 2B</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Gavin Floyd - RHP</td><td class="td-first td-name">C. Bergman - RHP</td></tr></tbody>
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The Rockies are without their starting LF, RF, 3B, or C today. The innings in which the quartet of McKenry, Culberson, LeMahieu, and Bergman hit provide an excellent time to utilize the restroom or change the laundry. So that's cool.

Meanwhile Bergman is opposing a perfectly healthy Atlanta lineup featuring basically their Opening Day squad, except for Dan Uggla, but that's some addition by subtraction in my opinion. Must be nice to have all those healthy players.

Gavin Floyd is a wily veteran that has been around the block a few times, and he pitches for the Braves so naturally he has a 2.80 ERA, despite a .357 BABIP. He limits homers and induces lots of groundballs while maintaining a solid strikeout rate; gee, that arsenal would work at Coors (one career start, 7 IP and two runs allowed).

It feels like the Baseball Gods have pulled the plug on the Rockies' 2014, but the season goes on regardless. Maybe Bergman will be awesome. Go Rockies.