The Braves have a .500 record over their past 50 games -- 25-25 since May 23.
That hasn’t derailed them in the National League East standings because the Phillies’ record during that same two-month stretch is only slightly better (28-25) and the Nationals’ record is worse (22-29).
The Braves were 10 games over .500 and in first place in the division after games of May 23, leading the Phillies by ½ game and the Nationals by 2 ½ games. Two months later, the Braves are one game behind the Phillies and six games ahead of the Nationals.
Takeaways from all of that: The Braves remain near the top of the division on the strength of their early-season success, are fortunate to have not lost much ground during two months of .500 ball and seem in need of an acquisition or two or three at the fast-approaching trade deadline.
(But relief pitcher Zach Britton won't be a trade option for the Braves because the Orioles dealt him to the Yankees late Tuesday night.)
The Braves just completed a four-game trip, splitting two games in Washington and two in Miami, and open a seven-game homestand Thursday night with the start of a four-game series against the Dodgers at SunTrust Park. The Dodgers, who started the season slowly, lead the NL West, have gone 34-17 since May 23 and recently added Manny Machado to their lineup.
More numbers: After their 2-2 trip to Washington and Miami, the Braves are an impressive 29-16 against NL East opponents. They are 25-28 against everyone else.
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TODAY’S LEADOFF LINKS
> Arthur Blank was undeterred by the news that wide receiver Julio Jones plans to sit out the start of training camp, with the team owner saying he still believes Jones will be a "Falcon for life." Read D. Orlando Ledbetter's report here.
> So when does Jones' problem become a Falcons problem? Mark Bradley examines that question here.
> The Falcons should make Jones happy and can't win the Super Bowl without him, Michael Cunningham writes.
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