The Atlanta Braves have been dealt a significant blow to their postseason ambitions as their star third baseman, Austin Riley, is set to miss the next six to eight weeks due to a fracture in his right hand. The injury was confirmed following an MRI after Riley was struck by a pitch from Los Angeles Angels reliever Jack Kochanowicz.
The timing of Riley's injury couldn't be worse for the Braves, who are entrenched in a heated battle for a wild-card spot in the National League. Riley has been a crucial offensive contributor this season, posting a .256/.322/.461 slash line with 19 home runs and 26 doubles through 110 games. His performance has seen a notable uptick since May, with a .275/.339/.531 slash line, a considerable improvement from his .228/.295/.353 line heading into June.
Recovery Timeline and Postseason Implications
Should Riley manage to recover on the shorter end of the projected timeline, he could potentially rejoin the Braves during their final regular-season week. This could see him return for the crucial three-game home series against the New York Mets starting on September 24. However, if his recovery extends to the full eight weeks, Riley would be sidelined for the rest of the regular season and might miss the initial rounds of the postseason, should the Braves secure a spot.
The Braves' journey to the postseason is already fraught with challenges. With ace Spencer Strider's season-ending UCL tear, All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies' wrist fracture keeping him out for nearly a month, and Ronald Acuña Jr.'s ACL tear sidelining him since early June, the Braves have had to navigate significant injury setbacks. Moreover, Max Fried's return from forearm neuritis has not been as impactful as hoped, with the pitcher struggling to regain his rhythm.
Current Standings and Team Outlook
Despite these obstacles, the Braves currently hold a two-game lead over the Mets for the third and final NL wild-card spot. The San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals trail the Braves by four and five games, respectively. While the wild-card race is tight, the Braves also face a daunting task in closing a seven-game gap on the first-place Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East, a division they've dominated by clinching the title for the past six seasons.
Luke Williams is expected to step in as the primary third baseman in Riley's absence, and his performance will be under the microscope as the Braves strive to maintain their playoff position. Williams faces the challenge of filling Riley's big shoes during this critical stretch of the season.
The Braves' resilience has been tested throughout the year, and their ability to overcome these setbacks will define their season. The coming weeks will be pivotal as they aim to secure a postseason berth without some of their key players.
While the Braves have shown remarkable depth and tenacity, the loss of Austin Riley adds a significant hurdle. His impending return, whether in the final week of the regular season or later, could provide a much-needed boost. However, until then, the Braves will need to rely on their roster's depth and the performances of replacements like Luke Williams to carry them through.
The Braves' final stretch promises to be an uphill battle, but with their history of overcoming adversity, they remain a team that cannot be counted out.