Braves' opponent: Washington Nationals
Keep an eye on: Bryce Harper launched three home runs Wednesday against Tom Koehler and the Marlins. At age 22, he became the youngest to accomplish that feat in 45 years – since Joe Lahoud in 1969. Two of his homers went into the upper deck at Nationals Park, the longest of which traveled 445 feet. Harper broke out of a 1-for-17 slump with those three homers.
Who's hot: Wilson Ramos enters the series on an 11-game hitting streak, during which he has hit .419 (18-for-43) with two doubles and three RBIs.
Who's not: Gio Gonzalez, who opens the series on the mound for Washington, is winless in his past eight starts against the Braves, going 0-7 with a 5.32 ERA since July 1, 2012.
Braves connection: Dan Uggla hit a dagger of a three-run home run – not to mention two triples – when the Nationals took two of three from the Braves at Turner Field at the end of April. Jason Grilli won't be giving him anymore 0-2 fastballs but Uggla still has a chance to contribute because Anthony Rendon is still on the disabled list – now with an oblique strain, which he injured trying to come back from a knee sprain.
In the news: Just like the Braves managed to avoid Matt Harvey in each of the first two series against the Mets, they'll miss Max Scherzer the first two series against the Nationals. Last time it was his sore thumb that prevented a matchup, this time it's the way the rotation falls. Jayson Werth missed two games with shoulder soreness but is expected back in the lineup for the series opener.
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