Atlanta Braves: Five Second Half Predictions

Jun 2, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez smiles in the dugout against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. The Diamondbacks defeated the Braves 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Braves begin the second half of the 2015 with a record of 42-47 and losers of five consecutive games.

The Braves last series in Denver was costly, as they were swept by the second worst team in baseball record-wise and lost closer Jason Grilli for the season following an Achilles injury suffered on Saturday. They now sit seven games behind the NL East leading Washington Nationals.

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Despite all the adversity the Atlanta Braves have faced in the past week, they have shown the ability to overcome hardships throughout the season — and I expect nothing different after the All-Star break. The Braves success will count on what President of Baseball Operations John Hart decides to do with the team in the coming weeks. With that being said, I offer five bold predictions for the second half of the Atlanta Braves season. 

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