Ranking neither first nor second in the National League East as the season moves into its latter half, you would think that the Mets and Braves would be despairing of their lots. This is a season following a year in which neither team, perceived powers in their division, made the playoffs; and a season following busy winters for both ball clubs, where each team added big-name talent and committed themselves to win now. While the failure of both teams to rule the roost is a disappointment to their organizations and their respective fans, each is still very much in the running for the title.

As we move into the deadline deal season, it’s going to be especially interesting to see how the two organizations respond to their in-season setbacks, and simply make light of the fact that they’re within five games of first and nobody’s flown a half-title since the 1981 strike season. All four teams in the running in the division have dramatic flaws — the Mets, their lack of depth, the Braves, their bullpen, and the Phillies and Marlins, their rotations. Who does the best job of addressing these problems stands a very good chance at being the only team in the division in the playoffs.