Ever wonder how the Braves can have such a rocky June, fall as low as three games under .500, and still find themselves only 41/2 games back in the NL East heading into this weekend's series in Toronto?

The answers lie with the other clubs in the NL East and some drama they've endured as well.

We break down what's gone wrong for the other teams in the division this month, and at least a little something that has gone right.

After the Braves wrap up interleague play Sunday in Toronto, they'll welcome the Phillies to Turner Field on Tuesday, with a chance to make up real ground in the division.

Phillies

1. After completing a three-game sweep of the Braves on June 8, the Phillies went 3-10 in their next 13 games, the worst record in that stretch in baseball.

2. The Phillies lost six in a row in interleague play, including two to the Red Sox, three to the Angels and one to the A's.

3. Chase Utley endured a 1-for-29 slump before breaking out with four hits against the A's on Wednesday.

4. Ryan Howard has struck out 109 times in his first 80 games, which puts him on pace for 221 strikeouts this season. That would break the major league record of 199 strikeouts he set last season.

5. After scoring 20 runs on June 13 against the Cardinals, the Phillies scored 27 in their next nine games.

• Something good?

Brad Lidge was a perfect 6-for-6 in saves for June heading into Friday, which made him 18-for-18 for the year.

Marlins

1. They have lost five of six to in-state rival Tampa Bay, including a three-game sweep this week in which they were outscored 27-8.

2. Matt Lindstrom, the reliever with the 100 mph fastball, went from an 0.84 ERA in 12 May outings to a 16.62 ERA in six outings in June and recently was sent down to Class AAA Albuquerque.

3. The Marlins' bullpen, which blew only two saves in a 16-11 May, has blown seven in a 9-14 June, entering Thursday night.

4. Rookie right-hander Bruce Badenhop (2-3, 6.08 ERA) went from the rotation to the bullpen to the disabled list with shoulder problems.

5. Mike Jacobs is hitting only .217 in 22 games in June, though he has seven homers.

• Something good?

Cleanup hitter Josh Willingham is back after missing 50 games with a back injury, and the Marlins are 17-13 vs. the NL East, the best of any team in the division.

Mets

1. There was the 3 a.m. firing of manager Willie Randolph, pitching coach Rick Peterson and first base coach Tom Nieto on June 17.

2. The Mets were 4-4 under interim manager Jerry Manuel entering Friday's double-header against the Yankees.

3. The Mets have split four starts in Pedro Martinez's return this month after missing two months with a hamstring problem. Martinez is 2-1 with a 5.91 ERA in those four starts.

4. Carlos Delgado, 36, is hitting .229, and the Mets just picked up Andy Phillips off waivers from the Reds to help at first base.

5. The Mets are a combined 1-6 against the worst team in each league — 0-4 against the Padres and 1-2 against the Mariners.

• Something good?

The Mets are 4-2 against the Phillies, winning their first two series of the season against them.

Braves

1. The Braves added John Smoltz (shoulder) and Tom Glavine (elbow) to the disabled list this month and will be doing well to see Glavine back after the All-Star break.

2. The Braves were 4-20 in one-run games heading into the weekend, including 1-4 this month.

3. Chipper Jones had missed nine starts in June, entering the weekend, mostly because of his quadriceps strain, and the Braves went 4-5 in those games.

4. Heading into the weekend, Jeff Francoeur was hitting .248 for the season, .217 with runners in scoring position, and .105 with the bases loaded. He was 3-for-18 (.167) in his previous six games, with no RBIs or extra-base hits.

5. Rafael Soriano tried and has not been able to beat the soreness in his elbow that already cost him the first two months of the season.

• Something good?

Mike Gonzalez returned to the closer role where he is 2-for-2 in saves, and Mark Kotsay (back) could be back from the DL next week.

Nationals

1. The No. 3, 4 and 5 hitters have all been on the disabled list for extended periods: Ryan Zimmerman (shoulder), Nick Johnson (wrist) and Austin Kearns (elbow). Johnson is out for the season. Zimmerman might be, too.

2. Closer Chad Cordero (shoulder) has pitched only six games, and is back on the disabled list. Trying to make do without him, the Nats bullpen has a 4.50 ERA, the second-worst in the NL.

3. Starter Shawn Hill is 1-5 with a 5.83 ERA and back on the disabled list with forearm pain. Overall Nats starters are 15-36 with a 4.68 ERA, 12th in the NL.

4. Paul LoDuca is making $5 million, hitting only .190 in 24 games and now backs up Jesus Flores.

5. Three of Washington's four highest paid players are on the disabled list: Kearns, Johnson and Cordero. LoDuca is the other.

• Something good?

After three seasons batting injuries, shortstop Christian Guzman is finally heathy and has a .311 batting average to show for it.