If you’ve been missing the Braves’ late-night games out west, here’s the summary: Atlanta has been steamrolling the Rockies in the first two matchups of the series. Bryce Elder threw six solid innings in Game 1—an indicator of how overmatched Colorado has been—and the Braves dominated both offensively and defensively in Game 2. It’s felt more like a major league team facing a minor league squad.
With Wednesday being a getaway day, you’d expect a few regulars to get a rest and some bullpen arms to be preserved. That’s exactly what Atlanta is doing, rolling out a lighter lineup—because, frankly, they can afford to against a team like Colorado.
Braves Rest Starters in Series Finale Against Struggling Rockies
Despite how well Alex Verdugo has been hitting—and with the Rockies starting a right-hander, Chase Dollander—you might expect him to be leading off. Instead, Michael Harris II returns to the top of the order, while Verdugo gets the day off. Sean Murphy is also sitting this one out, which makes sense for a day game following a night game, giving way to backup catcher Drake Baldwin, who’s held his own lately. Eddie Rosario, recently re-signed on a low-risk deal, takes over the final outfield spot.
It’s smart to use these kinds of matchups to rest key players. Getaway games can be draining, especially after a late finish the night before, and when you’re playing one of the league’s weakest teams, it’s the perfect time to let the bench step up.
Sure, resting starters always carries some risk—an off-day lineup could open the door for a surprise loss. But with the length of the MLB season in mind, it’s a calculated risk worth taking.
