Since being traded at the deadline last July, Kevin Gausman went from a floundering franchise, the Orioles, to the playoff-caliber Braves.

And along with the change of scenery came a change in clubhouse role for Gausman, a Centennial native and former Grandview High School star.

“Every year I was with the Orioles, I was one of the younger guys on the team,” Gausman said. “To completely flip the script, now I’m the oldest starter on the team here even though I’m only 28. So from Day 1 that I came over here, they viewed me as a veteran.”

The 6-foot-3 right-hander is set to take the mound against the Rockies in Sunday’s series finale at SunTrust Park. His previously scheduled start against Colorado this season on April 10 was postponed due to snow, denying Gausman the opportunity to pitch in his hometown for the first time in his seven-year career.

Gausman (1-2, 3.96 ERA) has turned out two quality starts this season and has been hit around in two others. But the No. 4 overall pick out of LSU in 2012 is confident he’ll find his rhythm in 2019.

As he does, he reflected on the decade that has passed since his time dominating ballfields in south metro Denver, where his evolution from a lanky, flame-throwing prospect into a veteran big-league starter could be easily forecast — but was by no means guaranteed.

“It took me a while to learn that I wasn’t as good as I thought I was in Colorado,” Gausman recalled. “One of the best things I ever did was the summer after my senior year in high school I went and played in the California Collegiate League and got my butt kicked.

“It was my first time facing college hitters, and it was eye-opening. But that was the very first summer where I really realized what it was going to take to get where I am now.”

— Kyle Newman, The Denver Post

What’s on Tap

• At Atlanta Braves, 5:20 p.m. Friday, ATTRM
• At Atlanta Braves, 5:20 p.m. Saturday, ATTRM
• At Atlanta Braves, 11:20 a.m. Sunday, ATTRM

Must-Read

Ryan Rolison, the Rockies’ first-round pick last year, is quickly pitching his way through the lower minors

After the Rockies selected Ryan Rolison with the No. 22 overall pick last year out of the University of Mississippi, the southpaw shined with a 1.86 ERA in nine starts for rookie-league Grand Junction. Read more…

Rockies outfielder Raimel Tapia, with flash, web gems and a bat “con mucho swagger,” is forcing himself into a starting role

In his past ten games, Tapia’s hitting .370 with two triples, three doubles, three homers and 10 RBIs. Read more…

Rockies Mailbag: No rush on deals for Trevor Story or Kyle Freeland, Chris Iannetta update and more

Here is my own crazy thought: Would the Rockies ever consider Blackmon at first base? I have no idea if he can play the position, but it’s a thought. Read more…

Quick Hits

+ WATCH: Rockies outfielder Raimel Tapia hits inside-the-park home run against Phillies

+ Rockies podcast: Reliever Carlos Estevez talks bringing the heat, overcoming freak injuries and more

+ Rockies activate Daniel Murphy from injured list ahead of series finale vs Nationals

+ Rockies’ Kyle Freeland lands on injured list; Tyler Anderson activated from IL

+ Nolan Arenado’s flair for the dramatic returns in 7-5 Rockies win over Nationals

+ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and his big, bad bat are coming to the major leagues

+ Rockies Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Patrick Saunders here.

+ Want to chat about the Rockies? Ask to join our closed discussion group on Facebook.

By The Numbers

7

Rockies’ offense clicks vs. Nationals; now comes seven-game road test

The Rockies’ offense is finally getting its act together. Now it’s time to see how that act plays on the road. Read more…

Parting Shot

WATCH: Rockies’ Daniel Murphy almost gets run over during the “Tooth Trot” race at Coors Field

Rockies first baseman Daniel Murphy almost got run over by a man dressed as a giant tooth. Read more…

Get in Touch

If you see something that’s cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at jbailey@denverpost.com or tweet me @beetbailey.

History could be made Saturday night.

If Denver beats San Antonio in Game 7 to move on in the NBA playoffs, it will mark the first time that both the Nuggets and the Avalanche have advanced to the second round in the same year.

This season was the first time since 2010 that both teams clinched a playoff berth in the same year.

The Nuggets have made it to the second round just twice since 1989 — the upstart Dikembe Mutombo-led No. 8 squad that toppled No. 1 Seattle in 1994 and the Western Conference Finals team in 2009.

The Avs — who moved from Quebec in 1995 — missed the playoffs in 2009.

— Joe Nguyen, The Denver Post

A special offer for Sports Omelette readers! Subscribe to The Denver Post’s sports coverage for just 99¢ for the first month and only $6.99/month thereafter. Cancel anytime.

What’s on Tap?

• Rockies: At Atlanta Braves, 5:20 p.m. Friday, ATTRM | Buy tickets
• Avalanche: At San Jose Sharks, 8 p.m. Friday, NBCSN | Buy tickets
• Rapids: At Atlanta United, 4 p.m. Saturday, ALT | Buy tickets

TV/RADIO: Here’s what sports are airing today

Check out our new and improved stats page.

Scoreboard

NBA: Spurs 120, Nuggets 103
Full story | Box score

Must-Read

The Avalanche’s Cale Makar and Sam Girard: Together on the power play at last?

Colorado coach Jared Bednar ran Makar and Girard out on the same power-play unit in practice late Thursday morning, leading to speculation that it could be an option for the Avs in their second-round series at San Jose starting on Friday. Read more…

Denver Broncos draft tight end Noah Fant with 20th pick in NFL draft

After trading from No. 10 to No. 20 in Thursday night’s NFL draft, the Broncos selected Iowa tight end Noah Fant. Read more…

Kiszla: Say what? John Elway punts No. 10 pick; Broncos settle for tight end Noah Fant in NFL draft.

Sick and tired of losing, John Elway told us doesn’t like the Broncos having a pick in the top 10 of the NFL draft. He wasn’t kidding. I guess now we know Elway really meant it. Read more…

Quick Hits

+ Ryan Rolison, the Rockies’ first-round pick last year, is quickly pitching his way through the lower minors

+ Bradley Chubb, Broncos fans react to selection of Noah Fant in NFL draft

+ Denver Broncos trade No. 10 pick to Pittsburgh Steelers, move down to No. 20

+ Rockies outfielder Raimel Tapia, with flash, web gems and a bat “con mucho swagger,” is forcing himself into a starting role

+ The Stanley Cup came to Denver on Thursday and the local media got excited

+ Arizona Cardinals select Kyler Murray with No. 1 pick in the NFL draft

+ Chiefs’ Tyreek Hill, fiancee discuss domestic incident

+ PHOTOS: Best of the Avalanche from the NHL Playoffs first-round

Post Mailbag forms

+ Broncos Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Ryan O’Halloran here.

+ Nuggets Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Mike Singer here.

+ Avs Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Mike Chambers here.

+ Rockies Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Patrick Saunders here.

By The Numbers

79

John Havlicek, Boston Celtics great, dies at 79

John Havlicek, the Boston Celtics great whose steal of Hal Green’s inbounds pass in the final seconds of the 1965 Eastern Conference final against the Philadelphia 76ers remains one of the most famous plays in NBA history, has died. He was 79. Read more…

Parting Shot

Broncos released a digital “Avengers”-themed wallpaper. Chris Harris Jr. wasn’t on it.

The Broncos star cornerback — who recently asked the team for a trade if he’s not given a new contract — noticed his absence and responded “this real cold” on Twitter. Read the story…

Get in Touch

If you see something that’s cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at dboniface@denverpost.com or tweet me @danielboniface.