[Lefty Noob]

The Atlanta Braves finished the first-half of the season with a 47-42 mark, and are two games behind the Mets for first place in the NL East. They've won 6 of their last 10 as well. What do the Braves need to do to keep challenging New York? What do they need to improve on?

[suedon70]

Well the two most obvious things the Braves need are an effective (and healthy) pitching staff and AJ to revert back to the power hitter he once was. Smoltz needs to stay healthy, and Wickman needs to stop blowing saves. It's amazing to me that even with their bullpen problems in the latter part of the first half of the season that they are just 2 games out...

[Gotham Dark Knight]

A quick look at their lineup shows 7 guys on the DL...that does not make for a playoff team...though Smoltz is due back July 18th...and Wickman as a closer is a laugh the man has 66 lifetime blown save attempts to only 263 saves...that is just awful...