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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MAY 17: Austin Riley #27 of the Atlanta Braves rounds third base after hitting a three run home run during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Truist Park on May 17, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
On Monday night, the Atlanta Braves will open up a series with the San Diego Padres in California.
They are coming off a 9-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday (at home).
Austin Riley finished with one hit and two strikeouts in four at-bats.
Chipper Jones Makes Honest Austin Riley Statement
GettyAustin Riley #27 of the Atlanta Braves hits for a single in the second inning of a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Truist Park on June 21, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Riley has struggled in a big way this season.
The two-time MLB All-Star comes into the night batting .211 with 58 hits, eight home runs, 36 RBIs, 31 runs and four stolen bases in 76 games.
Ahead of Monday’s game, Braves legend Chipper Jones was asked about Riley in an interview with 680 The Fan.
Jones: “Honestly, it looks to me like he’s guessing from time to time. It looks to me like he’s behind the fastball and in front of the breaking ball and when he does get a mistake pitch, you know, he misses it… He’s not staying committed to the right center field gap in my opinion. And you know, when he does get pitches to hit, he’s missing them. And then at certain points it looks like he’s just making his mind up at times before the pitch is ever thrown.”
Riley has spent all eight seasons of his career with the Braves.
In 2021, he helped the franchise win the World Series title over the Houston Astros.
Ben Stinar Ben Stinar has been covering the NBA for over seven years. He has written for OnSI, Forbes, Amico Hoops, The Big Lead and had a podcast with former All-Star Jameer Nelson. More about Ben Stinar