Why does the month of June have to exist in the Braves' season?

The Atlanta Braves won six games last June to plummet them well below .500, a point they couldn't rebound from for the rest of the season, en route to a 79-83 record.

The Braves have won just eight games this June thus far and have been shut-out in four of their last five games. Since their 27-14 start, they've gone 11-24 for a combined 38-38 record.

Catcher Brian McCann is down to .250, as he's been playing hurt all season it seems. First baseman Scott Thorman has struggled the first half of the season with a .232 batting average. Slugging center fielder Andruw Jones is right around the Mendoza line of .200. Second baseman Kelly Johnson is back down to .274 following a great start to the season. Right fielder Jeff Francouer is down to .276 after a solid start. Chipper Jones has hit well when healthy, but health has been an off and on issue all year for the star third baseman. The only truly consistent position player offensively has been shortstop Edgar Renteria, who has been healthy and hitting throughout the first half of the regular season. Left fielders Matt Diaz and Willie Harris have picked up the slack since the Braves traded Ryan Langerhans.

The Braves have been fairly solid defensively, but Brian McCann has been error prone thus far, perhaps due to his injuries and Scott Thorman is not the best of first baseman. Matt Diaz isn't the best of left fielders, but typically gets the job done. Andruw has been his brilliant self in center and the only reason the guy is still in the lineup is for his defense. Francouer continues to improve in right. Kelly Johnson has adapted very well to his role at second. Edgar has been superb at short and Chipper has been very solid at third when healthy.

Pitching, John Smoltz and Tim Hudson have been great as the 1 and 2 starters in the rotation, but after that is where the Braves have run into trouble. Chuck James and Kyle Davies have been anything but consistent at the 3 and 4. Mark Redman was a disaster early in the season as the 5. Mike Hampton got hurt for the 32nd time in the past five years. Lance Cormier started one game after coming back from the disabled list and got put back on the DL following that start. The bullpen has been better than last year (although, that's not saying a whole lot). Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzales both got off to slow starts in the pen for the Bravos, but came on strong following the early bumps. Gonzales has been out with an injury, though. Closer Bob Wickman was his typical great saving self early in the year, but of all things, he ran into control problems (injury-related) and has struggled to regain form after coming back from the DL.

As the Braves have scored all but 1 run in the past 5 games, they need to focus on improving offensively, because they're not going to win many more games at this pace.

So, here we go, I've got the answer(s). Maybe. Probably not. Who knows? Here's what I feel the Braves lineup should look like:

Vs. Lefties

1. Edgar Renteria (SS) - has been the most consistent hitter on the club. The Braves need to get on the board early to take some pressure off their starters, especially their 3 through 5's.

2. Matt Diaz (LF) - He may not be the most graceful of fielders, but the guy can flat-out hit. He's been hitting well over .300 all year when facing off against lefties. It'd give the Bravos a great 1-2 punch in terms of contact hitting.

3. Chipper Jones (3B) - This is Chipper's natural hitting position. With Edgar and Matthew hitting in front of him, it'd give Larry plenty of RBI opportunities and would give him more hitting opportunities period, more so than the clean-up man.

4. Andruw Jones (CF) - Andruw's fine physically. His swing is there. He's just not confident right now. Moving him around in the order isn't going to help matters any. It may be tough, but Bobby needs to show faith in Andruw and put him at clean-up. He'll break out of this slump sooner or later and when he does, the opposition will be paying.

5. Jeff Francouer (RF) - Francy hasn't produced in the home run department in the manner he should, but he's been more steady hitting the baseball and producing runs, especially with two out. If and when Andruw steps it up, Frenchie should follow suit.

6. Brian McCann (C) - McCann is a great contact hitter. Once he regains his health, he should be back to where he was a year ago.

7. Jarod Saltalamacchia (1B) - It's a shame he has to watch from the bench so much. If McCann continues to play hurt and not produce, I'd understand Bobby going with Salty at catcher, especially against lefties.

8. Yunell Escobar (2B) - The guy can no doubt hit, but he has struggled a bit since being placed at the top of the order. Perhaps hitting him 8th will prevent the rookie from feeling too much pressure

9. Pitcher's spot


Vs. Righties

1. Willie Harris (LF) - Harris is arguably the fastest guy on the roster and with the guy hitting in the .380s, makes for an excellent lead-off man.

2. Edgar Renteria (SS) - With his knack for contact and knack for making that contact count for his club, the 2 hole is Edgar's natural spot in the order.

3. Chipper Jones (3B) - Whether behind Edgar and Diaz or Willie and Edgar, Chip makes for the perfect three man in the order.

4. Andruw Jones (CF) - Confidence needs to be shown in the star center fielder. Andruw's been successful for too long for the faith from the coaches, players, or fans to dwindle.

5. Brian McCann (C) - As a lefty, McCann is a great contact man and run producer, especially when healthy. That's the most important component. If not, then I'd move Francouer up a spot and insert Saltalamacchia at catcher.

6. Jeff Francouer (RF) - Would ease some of the pressure off Jeff at the six spot against righties.

7. Kelly Johnson (2B) - Johnson has been solid in his first year at second for the Braves, but has struggled as of late. Perhaps platooning with Escobar could help the young infielder.

8. Scott Thorman (1B) - Scott has been much more successful when platooning at first this year. That along with not feeling the pressure at the #8 spot in the order could relax Thorman some and get his bat rolling (hitting, whatever).

9. Pitcher's spot


Well, there we have it. I'd also think about switching Soriano and Wickman if Bob continues to struggle as closer. Gonzales could also be utilized in the 9th once he returns from injury. Hopefully the Braves can solidify the rotation, especially at the 5 spot in the rotation. The 5 spot has been a mess all year. Chicago White Sox starter Mark Buerhle is said to be on the trading block. That'd be a great move for Atlanta to get him and solidify the rotation with three potential aces and two solid 3-5 starters to round out the 4th and 5th spots in the rotation.