Braves are so-so, but can go-go to NL East title

July 6, 12:24 PMAtlanta Sports ExaminerMike Tierney

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Tim Hudson: back soon.

Eighty-one games down, 81 to go. The Braves, even at 39-42, are a playa in the NL East race and will remain so because no team in this motley bunch is capable of pulling away.

So, for the next three months, your boys in blue and red will tease you like a stripper or torture you like a waterboarder, depending on how serious you treat these things.

To win 85 games -- and, thus, the division -- all the Braves need is mediocre hitting and Tim Hudson back in the rotation to cover for the enigmatic Kenshin Kawakami. (Ideally, not for Derek Lowe, presumably in a passing slump).

Let's look at their competition.

Phillies: Plagued by the typical post-World Series hangover. Jimmy Rollins has crashed and burned. Pitching ace Cole Hamels has a chronically sore shoulder and Brett Myers has disappeared on the disabled list. The Braves just dominated them over three nights.

Mets: Injuries galore, from the swingin' Carloses (Beltran and Delgado) to pitchers John Maine and Oliver Perez. A recent lineup consisted of Nos. 4 and 5 hitters with two homers apiece. Plus, they're the Mets.

Marlins: $36.8 million payroll, lowest in the major leagues. Brother, can you spare them a dime for a free agent pick-up?

Nationals: Yeah, right.

The Braves could hoist the flag by default. So, gird yourself for an endless reel of either a clothes-doffing dancer or head-dunking. 

For more info: http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/109212-braves-in-market-for-shortstop?eref=sihp