Thursday’s game: Braves vs. Nationals

Probable starting pitchers: TBA vs. RH Max Scherzer (9-5, 1.79)

What's new: The Braves had scored just three runs in their previous four games against the Nationals entering Wednesday, starting with Stephen Strasburg's return to the mound from the disabled list on June 23. And that's before the Braves have even faced the Nationals' toughest pitcher this year in Scherzer. A.J. Pierzynski has the most history with him of any Brave, having gone 11-for-33 (.333) with a double, triple, homer and seven RBIs in his career against Scherzer. The Braves haven't announced it yet but Manny Banuelos is likely to be called up from Triple-A Gwinnett to start in Williams Perez's (foot) spot in the rotation. Banuelos leads the International League with a 2.29 ERA and is two starts removed from his first career nine-inning shutout.

- Carroll Rogers Walton