ATLANTA — Brad Keller was working on the crossword puzzle.



It was a Wednesday afternoon, and the 23-year-old was sitting in the Atlanta Braves’ visiting clubhouse with a pen in hand and a smile on his face. This was typical. Each day Keller is called upon to start for the Kansas City Royals, he sits in the middle of the clubhouse and jots down the answers to the day’s puzzle.



What was atypical was how bright Keller’s smile shined — for which there was an obvious reason.



Keller, a Georgia native from the city of Flowery Branch, which lies 44 miles from downtown Atlanta, grew up wearing Braves gear. He attended games at Turner Field with his parents and brother, Brandon, each of whom chopped tomahawks. While SunTrust Park is not Turner Field, Keller earning a start at home was a literal dream come true. Keller’s mom, Patricia, said the family distributed 70 tickets to friends and family before the game.



“But...