As quickly as I was ready to give up on the Braves’ chances for the postseason this year, they went on a five game winning streak and closed the gap in the N.L. East to two games. To quote Al Pacino’s Michael Corleone from Godfather III, “Just when I thought I was out…they pull me back in.” Then just as quickly, the Braves lost two out of three to the last place Nationals to fall four games back of the Phillies who just woke up and swept the Mets.

The Braves have had no answer for the Nationals for the past five seasons. Since 2005 the Nationals are a N.L. East worst 308-418 (.438), averaging over twenty games under .500 over that span. Yet the Braves are only two games over .500 (42-40) against the Nationals over that time. By contrast in the five previous seasons (2000-2004) when the Nationals were the Montreal/Puerto Rico Expos, the Braves were a combined 59-30. The Expos overall record over that period was a similar 368-442 (.454).

Trade winds are rumored to be brewing with Yunel Escobar, Jeff Francoeur, and Javier Vazquez. Unfortunately, I think the Francoeur ones are just wishful thinking on the part of Braves fans as Jeff has played his way out of any significant trade value and will most likely be a placeholder until Jason Heyward arrives. Escobar has basically worn out Bobby Cox’s last nerve with his brain cramps and sulking despite his good work in the batter’s box (.293, 7 HR, 43 RBI). The only problem with trading away Escobar is needing a shortstop in return, unless the Braves feel that Diory Hernandez can handle the load. The Braves emptied their farm system of shortstops in recent years with trades involving Brent Lillibridge and Elvis Andrus when they thought Escobar would be the long-term solution at the position. The Braves continue to look for a big bat to boost the struggling offense. The Braves are the only team in the majors that hasn’t had someone hit 10 or more home runs (Nate McLouth has 13, but only 4 as a Brave.) Javier Vazquez could be a valuable trade piece for a team looking to improve their pitching. With Tim Hudson set to return next month, the Braves will be in the position again of having one too many arms for the rotation.

The Braves would love to go into the All-Star break at .500 or better and see what happens from there, but they have their work cut out for them to get there. The Braves have three games against the Cubs and four against the Rockies to close out the first half. They would have to go 5-2 to get to .500, a tall order indeed.

And speaking of tall orders…what the heck happened to Derek Lowe? Lowe is 0-4 in his last 5 starts with an 8.61 ERA. Over that time Lowe’s ERA has risen from 3.44 to 4.56. If the Braves have any hope of making a run in the N.L. East, they need the big man to return to form