The Atlanta Braves enter the second half of the season in not as bad of shape as one might think. Yes, 53-42 is not the standard that Braves fans have come to expect, but you have to consider what went wrong in the first half of the season.

Spencer Strider, last year’s strikeout king, was lost for the season just days into this year. Ronald Acuña Jr., last year’s Most Valuable Player, started slow and tore his ACL after just 49 games. Gone are your best pitcher and best player.

Michael Harris II has been sidelined since mid-June with a hamstring strain. That’s your starting centerfielder.

Not to mention other temporary injuries sustained by starters Sean Murphy and Austin Riley and a considerable drop-off in offensive production, and it’s no surprise these Braves are not in first place in the National League East Division.

Especially when you consider how well the Philadelphia Phillies have played, sporting a 62-34 record, the Braves were fortunate to enter the All-Star break only 8.5 games back of first place. But that’s where they are, within striking distance of catching the Phils, while holding a four-game lead in the Wild Card standings.

What will it take for the Braves to possibly catch the Phillies and reassert their claim as a contender in the National League? The Braves will need their two prized offseason acquisitions — Chris Sale and Reynaldo Lopez — to continue their All-Star seasons and stay healthy for the stretch run.

The Braves will need the offense to look more like the 2023 version. That means Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies and Riley will need to get hot and provide a spark by someone not named Marcell Ozuna.

The Braves will need to make a move or two at the trade deadline, acquiring a shortstop or outfielder or a fifth starter. They can’t afford to think the offense will just snap out of its funk or the starting rotation will avoid an injury to its aging staff. Alex Anthopoulos needs to be smart but aggressive, which I think he will be.

Atlanta certainly has the firepower, experience and savvy to make a postseason run, but it’s likely to come as a wild card this year. and that’s okay. Previous division championships have been marred by quick exits in the postseason. Maybe as a wild card, the Braves could reverse their fortune.

It’s set up for a fun second half to the season.