Colorado @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 4, 2012 ) Colorado 6, Atlanta 0

Colorado’s controversial move this summer to a four-man starting rotation, teamed with “piggyback” relievers who enter the game when the starter throws approximately 75 pitches, is not going to result in a playoff berth this season. But the Rockies are 18-10 in their past 28 games, and earned their fifth win in eight contests with a 6-0 victory at Atlanta on Tuesday. The plan worked perfectly in the second game of a four-game set, as four Colorado hurlers combined to stifle Atlanta’s offense. The Braves still hold the top spot in the NL wild-card standings, but lead second-place St. Louis by just two games.

One season after an epic September collapse cost Atlanta the wild card, the Braves are struggling entering the stretch run. Atlanta has lost 11 of its past 17 games, has benched slumping second baseman Dan Uggla and is all but finished in the NL East, trailing Washington by 7 1/2 games. Mike Minor takes the mound for the Braves in the third game of the series looking to continue his strong second half. Colorado counters with Alex White.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Root Sports (Colorado), SportSouth (Atlanta).

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Alex White (2-7, 5.58 ERA) vs. Braves LH Mike Minor (7-10, 4.79)

As the Rockies have reduced their pitchers' per-start workload, White made seven starts in August, going 0-1 while pitching 29 innings. He took the loss in his last start Friday against San Diego, allowing three runs on four hits with three walks and two strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings. In his past six starts, White has not pitched more than four innings.

Minor has turned around his season since late June, going 4-4 with a 3.19 ERA in his past 11 starts. He allowed four runs on seven hits in five innings in his last start Friday against Philadelphia, the first time the left-hander allowed more than three runs since June 30. Minor struggled with allowing homers earlier this season, but surrendered just three homers in six August starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Atlanta P Kris Medlen was named NL pitcher of the month for August. Medlen, inserted into the starting rotation in late July, went 4-0 in August with a 0.50 ERA, four walks and 35 strikeouts in 35 2/3 innings.

2. Colorado SS Troy Tulowitzki will continue his rehab assignment Wednesday and Thursday with Double-A Tulsa.

3. Atlanta C Brian McCann did not play Tuesday with a sore right shoulder. His backup, David Ross, is battling a sore left side.