ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Braves have been living a charmed existence during the first couple of months of the 2018 season. A 34-23 start, a long stay in first place, a rebuilding plan that has come together ahead of schedule. Frightening injuries to foundation players -- Freddie Freeman and Ronald Acuna Jr. -- that turned out to be much less serious than initially feared.
Then with the National League East favorite Washington Nationals visiting SunTrust Park for a big four-game series this weekend, there was this: The Braves would miss Max Scherzer's turn through the rotation.