Braves looking to get more production from Austin Riley
To the surprise of some, the Atlanta Braves are having a better start to the season than expected as they were dealt injuries to pitchers Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach, Hurston Waldrep and AJ Smith-Shawver before opening day rolled around, however sit a top the National League East at 11-7, having won five of their last seven matchups.
“They continue to find ways to get it done,” 92-9 The Game’s Carl Dukes said as he and cohost Mike Bell shared thoughts on Atlanta’s come from behind win over the Miami Marlins on Tuesday as Dominic Smith gave them a 6-5 lead in the bottom of the eighth inning after connecting on a three-run double.
“Those are the things guys that get you back to the playoffs,” Dukes said as he explained why Smith’s heroics, which also included a walk-off grand slam against the Royals at the start of the season, along with the offensive production of Drake Baldwin, who is currently batting .311 with five home runs and 18 RBIs, and Mauricio Dubon, who is contributing with a .339 batting average 2 homeruns and 11 RBIs.
And while Smith, Baldwin and Dubon have been a “pleasant surprise,” Dukes and Bell shared thoughts on concerns with the lack of production from Austin Riley, which they agree should be more as he is the highest paid Braves player. “Austin Riley is the highest paid guy on the team. He’s the first 200 million dollar Brave we’ve ever had to believe it or not,” Dukes said.
“When you put that in context Mike, and you say, ‘alright, we know you’ve been injured, but now you’re healthy, he’s going to have a great season,’ and it just hasn’t happened that way,” Dukes said of Riley.
Austin Riley looks to turn offensive struggles around
Austin Riley looks to turn offensive struggles around
