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‘Trying to figure it out’: Austin Riley keeping his head up amid worst season of career
By Aaron Schmidt at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· July 2, 2026
· 4 min read
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Austin Riley hears all the chatter, reads all the criticism and endures all the boos. He knows he’s deserving of it, though constant negativity isn’t usually a recipe for getting back on track.But like every slump, Riley believes this one will eventually come t...
Key takeaway With the Braves’ once-commanding double-digit NL East lead down to just 2.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
As the Braves' lead in the NL East continues to dwindle, the pressure is mounting on Austin Riley to break out of his slump. With the team's recent slide exposing major weaknesses, Riley's struggles at the plate are a significant concern for fans in Atlanta. The fact that he is working closely with hitting coach Tim Hyers and seeking advice from Hall of Famer Chipper Jones suggests that the Braves are committed to helping him regain his form. The local crowd's booing of Riley is a testament to the high expectations that come with playing for a team with a rich history like the Braves. As the MLB trade deadline approaches, the Braves' front office will be watching Riley's progress closely, and a turnaround from the third baseman could be a key factor in the team's decision-making. A strong performance from Riley could help stabilize the team's lineup and alleviate some of the pressure to make a major move.
About this story
Original reporting by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: local ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
Reading time: 4 min
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What is this story about? ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Austin Riley hears all the chatter, reads all the criticism and endures all the boos. He knows he’s deserving of it, though constant negativity isn’t usually a recipe for getting back on track.But like every slump, Riley believes this one will eventually come t...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Aaron Schmidt at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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