Colorado Rockies game no. 145 thread: Jon Gray vs. Touki Toussaint

After knocking the Phillies down in the Wild Card race with a 3-1 series win, the Rockies will now travel to Atlanta to take on the NL East’s top team in the Braves for a three-game series. The Rockies and Braves are coming off a 2-2 series split at Coors Field Sept. 2-5.

Jon Gray (7-10, 4.18 ERA) will toe the rubber on Tuesday night, making his second start since being placed on the 10-day IL with forearm soreness and his first start of the season vs. the Braves. In his first game back on Sept. 8 against the Giants, Gray pitched five scoreless innings with eight strikeouts, only giving up two hits, one walk, and one HBP in those five innings. At the plate, Gray hit an RBI single and came around to score a run in the fifth inning. In the sixth, he gave up four straight hits, including a three-run homer to Brandon Crawford which bumped Gray from the game.

The Rockies will face RHP Touki Toussaint (3-2, 4.11 ERA). Toussaint missed a big chunk of the season after being placed on the 60-day IL with a right shoulder strain in March. After rehabbing in the minors, he made his MLB season debut on July 20 and has made 10 appearances since. The Rockies matched up well with him on Sept. 2 when they put up five runs (four earned) in three innings, highlighted by a Charlie Blackmon grand slam. Unfortunately, the Braves rallied back for a 6-5 win. One big factor in the three wins vs. the Phillies was the home runs — the Rockies hit eight in the four-game series.

Atlanta (76-66) has a 37-34 at Truist Park, which isn’t as high as most first-place team’s home records, and could give the Rockies (66-78) a chance to improve on their 21-51 road mark.

Fortunately, due to some very nice rookie caddying, at least we know all the Rockies gear should arrive in Atlanta safely.

First Pitch: 5:20 P.M. MDT

TV: AT&T Sports Net Rocky Mountain; MLB.tv

Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM; KNRV 1150 (Spanish)

Lineups: