AtlantaBraves.com

ATLANTA -- Andruw Jones' offensive production has been virtually nonexistent, and the absence of an injured Chipper Jones forced the Braves to limp for nearly month. Yet as the second half arrives, postseason hopes are very much alive.

The injury bug hit before the season even got rolling, when Mike Hampton learned he was going to have to miss a second consecutive season because of another surgical procedure performed on his left elbow. In his absence, John Smoltz performed like an ace and Tim Hudson showed flashes of brilliance. But the youth of Kyle Davies and Chuck James led to some maddening stretches that only provided the reminder that this starting rotation lacks enviable depth.

Braves general manager John Schuerholz's offseason mission was to significantly improve his bullpen and the fruits of his labors have provided dividends. But one has to wonder how much better this relief corps, which has been strengthened with the emergence of Tyler Yates and Peter Moylan, would be with Mike Gonzalez, who in late May learned he needed season-ending Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery.

When Kelly Johnson was surging in April, so was the Braves offense. As he began to cool, so did a lineup that sorely missed the presence of Chipper Jones, who suffered a pair of bruised palms on May 11 and missed all but seven games over the next month.

When healthy, Chipper Jones has proven to be one of the National League's top offensive threats this year. The same can't be said of Andruw Jones, who is heading toward free agency with the burden of a batting average that rests around .200.

Still, the Braves find themselves in much better position than they were last year and with reason to believe the continued of maturity of James and Davies will allow them to limit their absence from the postseason to just one year.

Club MVP: Edgar Renteria has been a pillar of consistency from both an offensive and defensive perspective. When Chipper Jones was out, he provided production in the third spot of the lineup and when Jones has been healthy, the veteran shortstop has given him plenty of run-producing opportunities.

Call him 'Ace': Smoltz continues to prove he's one of the world's most determined and skilled athletes. His first half would have been much more impressive had he not tweaked his right shoulder during a May 29 start in Milwaukee.

Greatest strength: If the lineup is at full strength, the offense could be the second-half strength. But minus Bob Wickman's troubles heading into the break, the bullpen was consistently the first half's most reliable component.

Biggest problem: Hampton's absence left the Braves with a front-loaded rotation that lacked needed stability at the back end.

Biggest surprise: When Willie Harris arrived at the beginning of May, the Braves thought they'd at least give him a look. Two months later, some of the coaches were wondering if he deserved some All-Star consideration.

Team needs: Starting pitching carried the Braves to 14 consecutive division titles and will take them back to the postseason if they are fortunate enough to find a veteran starter on what appears to be a barren trade market.

Oh, doctor:

• Hampton -- The loss of this southpaw has had the most profound effect on the club. His veteran presence would have done wonders for the starting rotation.

• Gonzalez -- When he learned he needed surgery, the Braves bullpen went from three closers to two. The club can only hope he regains his dominant form when he returns next year.

• Chipper Jones -- The Braves have learned to cope without Jones in the lineup for a significant portion of the past three seasons. But his absence always has a negative effect.

• Willy Aybar -- Hasn't played since being suspended in mid-April. It's believed he's battling a substance abuse problem. His absence has been softened by the emergence of Yunel Escobar, who appears to be a much more polished player.

• Wickman -- While he was on the disabled list from April 30-May 14 with soreness in his upper back, Rafael Soriano and Gonzalez handled the closing duties flawlessly.

• Lance Cormier -- Since straining his right triceps muscle during his final Grapefruit League start, this right-hander has never regained the tremendous promise he'd displayed during most of Spring Training.

He said it: "If we can get Andruw's power stroke back in the middle of that lineup, it's going to be a pretty good one." -- Chipper Jones

Mark your calendar: July 23-26 at San Francisco; Aug. 7-9 at New York Mets; Aug. 10-12 at Philadelphia; Aug. 14-16 vs. San Francisco; Aug. 31-Sept. 2 vs. New York Mets; Sept. 3-5 vs. Philadelphia; Sept. 10-12 at New York Mets; Sept. 25-27 at Philadelphia

Fearless second-half prediction: Andruw Jones will catch fire in the second half and help the Braves gain entry into the postseason via the Wild Card
I agree that Renteria is the Clubs 1st half MVP. They're are others to consider as well. Like, Johnson (if he didn't start to struggle), Chipper (If he could stay healthy), and Harris (Which IMO is not far behind Renteria).

With Hampton going down before the start of the season hurt the Braves without even playing a game yet. The Braves needed him in the rotation and the 1st half proves it. I know JS & company is working on aquiring a veteran starter to add to the rotation.

I hope Andruw can find his swing again and bring the power back to the lineup.