Alright, Braves Country, let’s talk about one of the biggest bats in the lineup—because Austin Riley is heating up, and it couldn’t be happening at a better time.
Riley Finds His Rhythm, One Big Swing at a Time
For two nights straight, Austin Riley has reminded us why he’s the kind of player who can flip the script with a single swing. Wednesday night against the Phillies, in what ended up being a 4-3 Braves victory, Riley tied the game in the seventh inning with a towering solo shot to left.
When the game hung in the balance again in the ninth, he came through with a clutch single that moved the go-ahead run 90 feet from home. That is how you turn a slump into a storyline.
Now, let’s be honest—he’s not all the way back yet. Riley had two missed chances earlier in the game with the bases loaded, but those aren’t sticking in anyone’s mind this morning. What’s sticking is that he showed up when it mattered most.
That’s what manager Brian Snitker is seeing: “He showed some signs of life tonight with the homer,” he said. “Just got to keep wanting to be in that moment.”
A Personal Reckoning and the Start of a Turnaround
This uptick in Riley’s performance feels more personal than most. Just a week ago, he called himself out in a postgame interview after the Braves dropped the finale to the Dodgers.
“From a personal standpoint, it’s honestly embarrassing what I’ve displayed offensively,” Riley told MLB.com. That’s not something you often hear from a power hitter of his caliber. But that honesty? That fire? It’s starting to show up in the box score.
Since that moment of raw accountability, Riley has flipped the narrative. He’s batting .333, with a homer, four RBIs, and three extra-base hits in the span of a few games. His slugging percentage has shot up by nearly 150 points, and his batting average has nearly doubled.
These aren’t just empty numbers—they’re indicators that the timing, the feel, and the confidence are returning.
Riley Reflects on the Braves’ Season
Riley is a perfect symbol for this Braves team in many ways right now. He went through the early struggles with the rest of the team. But, he acknowledged that start with brutal reflection and honestly about underperforming. There’s a pulse, a rhythm, and more than a few hints that better days are ahead.
As Atlanta looks to close out the series against the Phillies tonight, eyes will be on Riley to see if he can keep that spark alive. The first pitch is set for 7:15 p.m.—and if recent nights indicate, Riley’s bat might have more drama to deliver.
