Nicasio (3-1, 4.10 ERA) has taken the ball for the Rockies seven times this season, with his team managing to pick up the win in five of those contests. Against the Royals last time out the righthander tossed eight shutout innings while giving up just three hits in a victory.

Nicasio has struck out 30 batters over 41 2-3 innings while walking 10 this season.

Tim Hudson (7-6, 3.57 ERA) starts for the Braves at home on Thursday afternoon, and he cruised to a win over the Orioles in his most recent trip to the mound (three runs on eight hits over six innings of work).

Hudson is 3-1 with a no-decision over his last five trips to the mound, but he hasn't been a very lucrative option for Braves supporters over the past couple of months – Atlanta has just four wins over his last 10 outings.

Overall Hudson has allowed three or fewer earned runs in eight of his last 10 starts.

The Braves will be trying to avoid looking ahead to the weekend when they meet the Rockies on Thursday – Atlanta travels up to Philadelphia for a three-game set against the division-leading Phillies starting Friday.

If Atlanta could catch Philly in the division they'd improve their World Series odds at Bodog – the Braves head into Thursday at 18/1 at Bodog to win the championship this year, and at 9/1 to claim the NL Pennant.

The Rockies sit at 30/1 on the World Series board and at 15/1 on the NL Pennant odds list; head over to Bodog's sportsbook for all the latest MLB futures.

Get all your MLB odds at Bodog.