As the 2025 MLB season nears its halfway point, the Atlanta Braves are facing a harsh reality: their offense is in serious trouble. Following a brutal 13-0 loss to the division-leading Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta’s lack of production at the plate is not only killing momentum — it’s threatening their postseason chances.
In the midst of the slump, third baseman Austin Riley addressed the growing pressure. Speaking with The Athletic’s Mark Bowman, Riley urged his team to stay grounded.
“There’s always pressure in this game,” Riley said. “It’s about going out there and playing our game. Facing a division rival is always big, and we just have to keep building off the good baseball we’ve played recently.”
Austin Riley
Still, the numbers tell a bleak story. Atlanta’s offense has been ice-cold in June, posting a .229 batting average and a .664 OPS — both near the bottom of the league. They’ve been shut out multiple times, including back-to-back games against the Mets and Phillies, and have scored just three runs total across their last three matchups.
Riley himself is feeling the strain. After averaging 36 homers per season from 2021 to 2023, his OPS has slipped to .745. His .267 average and 12 homers are solid on paper, but he’s striking out more than ever and hasn’t delivered consistently in key moments.
Other key bats have also fallen off. Ozzie Albies is hitting just .221 with six home runs, and Michael Harris II — once a breakout star — has slumped to a .212 average with a league-worst .241 on-base percentage. With production dipping across the board, the burden has fallen heavily on Matt Olson, who extended his on-base streak to 28 games Friday, but can’t carry the team alone.
Meanwhile, the Wild Card race is tightening. Atlanta dropped to 37-44 after Friday’s blowout and now sits eighth in the standings — 10.5 games behind the Phillies. With Philadelphia rolling and the Mets gaining ground, the Braves’ postseason streak is in serious jeopardy.
The Braves will turn to Spencer Schwellenbach on Saturday in hopes of snapping their skid and reigniting the offense. The rivalry with the Phillies is heating up, but unless Atlanta finds a spark at the plate, their playoff dreams may continue to slip away.
Riley’s leadership and optimism offer a flicker of hope — but the Braves need results, and fast.
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