Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley made waves with a monstrous 444-foot home run during the team’s 8-4 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. Despite a sluggish start to the season—currently sitting at 5-11 and at the bottom of the NL East—the Braves showed flashes of their true potential Monday night, with Riley leading the charge. The two-time All-Star launched two home runs and drove in five runs, including a crucial three-run blast in the fifth inning that essentially put the game out of reach.
After opening the 2025 season with seven straight losses, Atlanta appears to be finding its rhythm. The Braves have made the postseason seven years running, including deep playoff runs and a World Series title in 2022. While the team lost some key pieces over the offseason, there’s still plenty of promise in the current roster.
Among the names to watch is 36-year-old ace and reigning Cy Young winner Chris Sale. Although he’s struggled early in the season, Sale tends to build momentum as the year goes on—provided he stays healthy. Given his performance last season, he’s earned the benefit of the doubt.
In addition to Sale, key players like Riley and Marcell Ozuna are expected to be central to Atlanta’s push. Ozuna, 34, may be nearing the end of his peak years, but Riley, at 28, likely still has his prime ahead. After battling injuries in 2024, the Memphis native is beginning to look like his old self again.
For the Braves to remain competitive in a division where the Phillies and Mets are already setting a high bar, they’ll need Riley to maintain a steady presence at the plate. Monday night’s performance was a strong step in the right direction as Atlanta looks to climb out of the NL East cellar.
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