Braves' opponent: Washington Nationals
Keep an eye on: Max Scherzer. The $210 million dollar man is scheduled to pitch Tuesday against Julio Teheran but he's nursing a jammed thumb that might prevent that. He injured it hitting a ground ball Thursday and was unable to throw bullpens Saturday or Sunday. If he's unable to go, the Nationals figure to go with either Tanner Roark from the bullpen or Taylor Jordan or A.J. Cole from Triple-A.
Who's hot: Yunel Escobar is on an eight-game hitting streak, while batting .300 (9-for-20) with two home runs, including a walk-off in the 10th inning to beat St. Louis on Tuesday.
Who's not: The Nationals have lost five in a row, including a weekend sweep in Miami. Danny Espinosa is 1-for-19 over his past six games.
Braves connection: Escobar, the former Braves shortstop, who was traded to Washington from Oakland for Tyler Clippard, has found a niche with the Nationals. He's playing third base with Anthony Rendon (knee) out and has hit safely in 14 of his past 15 starts. Dan Uggla is just 4-for-34 (.118) with nine strikeouts for the Nationals, while sharing time at second base with Espinosa.
In the news: Anthony Rendon has begun his minor league rehabilitation assignment to make his comeback from a sprained knee ligament suffered in spring training. He's not projected to return to major league action until after this series though, when the Nationals travel to New York.
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