OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 30: Brandon Phillips #4 of the Atlanta Braves is congratulated by Dansby Swanson #7 after Phillips scored against the Oakland Athletics in the top of the ninth inning at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on June 30, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

It’s been one hell of a ride as a Braves fan through 81 games. We’ve seen the good and the bad in all areas of the game, and now, at the halfway mark in the season, things are looking better than ever for Atlanta. Based on the club’s recent success, mixed in with a bit of luck, there is a fair chance that this team can keep themselves in the hunt for the NL East, or at least a Wild Card spot.

Many Atlanta Braves fans have given up hope for the 2017 season due to a lack of starting pitching, as it’s seemingly the only thing keeping the club out of the hunt right now. However, what most fail to realize is that anything can be fixed with the right tools, and in Julio Teheran‘s case, a little patience.

There’s absolutely no way that Julio keeps up his struggles this season. His home/road splits are some of the most dramatic I’ve ever seen. He’s 1-6 with a 7.58 ERA in 9 home starts, while boasting a 5-0 record with a much more respectable 2.89 ERA in 7 starts on the road. SunTrust Park is giving him fits, but he’ll figure things out there soon enough to turn things around.

I have mixed feelings about the remainder of the starting rotation. Sean Newcomb and Mike Foltynewicz look great, while R.A. Dickey and Jaime Garcia have been streaky, and either is liable to be traded at the first sign of someone being ready to take one of their spots.

I’m certain that once Teheran settles down at home and another frontline pitcher (Sonny Gray?) is added to the rotation, the Atlanta Braves will be in a position to chase down Washington in the East.

On the other side of the ball…

The Braves’ bats are looking great after a hot June. Matt Adams led the way with a 1.034 OPS, while 6 Braves (min. 40 PA) batted .296 or better last month. This offense does not need to be slept on, especially once Freddie Freeman returns.

Once Freddie does come back as a third baseman, things are going to be very interesting. People have their doubts about Freeman’s defensive capability at third, but I’m free of any worries. Some are calling Freeman at third an ‘experiment’, but I’m calling it an adjustment. The guy’s a ballplayer, and he’s going to do nothing but play ball the Freddie Freeman way.

I’m more excited than most about the potential this offense has for the rest of the season, but how could you not be excited for this lineup?:

My #Braves lineup once Freeman returns:

1. Inciarte

2. Phillips

3. Freeman

4. Adams

5. Kemp

6. Markakis

7. Flowers

8. Swanson

9. Pitcher — Toast Malone (45-45) (@BravesTwills) July 2, 2017

Matt Adams has been the silver lining to Freddie’s wrist injury, and now there’s an opportunity to keep him in the lineup when Freddie gets back. I’m convinced that this offense will score close to 5 runs per game for the remainder of the season.

Relievers holding steady

There really isn’t too much to be said about the Braves’ bullpen now. A couple of guys had rough patches last month, but for the most part, things are looking great. I’m just waiting for Arodys Vizcaino to take over as the team’s primary closer.

Akeel Morris is striking out an impressive 11.2 batters per nine innings in Gwinnett, but with these strikeouts have come a great deal of walks. He’s closer than ever to the big leagues, but it’s difficult to justify cutting anyone to bring him up. We may have to wait until September to catch a glimpse of him.

Contention is a REAL possibility

Cut out all the skepticism and have faith in the Atlanta Braves. They’ve done a heck of a job just to get near the .500 mark here in early July. We’ve only seen the lineup with Freeman OR Adams, and it’s been impressive.

The Nationals are 4-6 over their last 10 games, and 10-14 over their last 24. They’ve shown signs of slowing down, and Trea Turner‘s wrist injury will only set them back further.

If the Atlanta Braves can capitalize on the Nationals’ misfortune and continue to win like they have been, the rest of the season will be worth paying close attention to. The Braves have 10 more games against the Nats, including 6 in September. Those September games could likely be the difference between first and second place in the NL East.

Atlanta gets to start on that this week: four games in DC starting Thursday.