What complex set of factors led to this sordid state of affairs? What could cause a team of perennial winners to plummet so far so fast? Let’s take a look.

The first finger of blame needs to point squarely at the Atlanta bullpen. Long relief, short relief, set up men, closers - no matter where you look - the Braves’ relief corps just plain stinks. Atlanta relievers have posted a combined ERA of over six runs per nine innings. Not the stuff winning teams are made of.

The starting pitching has not been much better. Ace John Smoltz has been consistent, but carries a 4-5 record. Tim Hudson is rocking along at 6-6 with an ERA over 4.00. It goes down hill fast from there. The situation in Atlanta has become so dire, that even Smoltz has let it be known that he would not object to a trade. Fancy that, the Braves without John Smoltz.

Smoltz even went so far as to mention the Tigers, the team from whence he came to Atlanta in the famous Doyle Alexander-for-a-player-to-be-named-later trade of 1987. That player was John Smoltz.

Atlanta’s offense has also been inconsistent for most of the season. Chipper Jones has been in and out of the lineup with regularity. Andruw Jones is playing well, as usual, but can’t carry the load alone. The cast of young rookies from last year’s winning team is a competitive group, but overall, are not producing at the level they did a year ago.

Even the Braves’ defense, usually a strong suit, is porous this year. At times it seems like Sponge Bob is on the infield corners.

Meanwhile, the Mets are running away with the division. New York has by far the most balanced team in the National League at this stage of the season and the Braves, now 15-plus games out, seem to have little chance of catching up. Philadelphia has been playing well and are firmly entrenched in second place.

Florida, after a dismal start with a youthful roster of no-name players, just reeled off a 10-game winning streak and has moved into third place. As the summer wears on, look for the Marlins to get even better. In many ways, Florida reminds me of the Braves’ 2005 team, composed of many young, hungry players who hadn’t yet figured out that they were supposed to lose.

Washington is, well, Washington.

The plight of the Braves this season seems to be indicative of much of the National League. Other than the Mets and Cardinals, no team appears to be very far above mediocre. Cincinnati has been a surprise, but Manager Jerry Narron looks like he just chugged a bottle of vinegar every time he has to go to the bullpen. The Cubs, heralded to be much improved, have the second worst record in the league and, if it weren’t for the Pirates, would be in last place in the Central.

Out west, things are better than they were last year, but not much. All five teams are hovering around .500 and no one seems to want to pull away from the pack. Seems like most teams out west can run off a six or seven game winning streak, then lose five or six in a row. Mediocrity is the mantra for most of the National League this season.

I hope Atlanta can rebound and make a run at another flag, but it isn’t likely. What’s worse, some of the stellar names in the Atlanta pantheon could be gone before the trading deadline. Can you imagine the Braves without Smoltz? Can you visualize centerfield in Atlanta without Andruw Jones? Could the Braves, hoping to save a few bucks, actually give these icons the tomahawk chop?

Stay tuned.