Ahead of Friday’s series opener at Truist Park, the Atlanta Braves have set their starting lineup and left Austin Riley in the No. 7 spot. The decision comes as Riley’s 2026 struggles continue, while Atlanta heads into a stretch that includes the New York Mets
Friday night at Truist Park doesn’t start with the Mets—it starts with a lineup card and one familiar name in a specific spot.
Austin Riley will bat seventh for the Atlanta Braves when Atlanta and New York open their series in Georgia. Riley finished the Braves’ most recent game with one hit and one strikeout in four at-bats, and the night ended with an 11-5 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at home.
For Friday’s game, the Braves announced their starting lineup: D. Baldwin at catcher, O. Albies at second base, M. Olson at first base, M. Dubón in left field, M. Harris II in center field, D. Smith as the designated hitter, A. Riley at third base, M. Yastrzemski in right field, J. Mateo at shortstop, and G. Holmes as the starting pitcher.
Riley remains at the No. 7 spot in the order for Friday. This isn’t a one-time shuffle, either. He has moved around in the lineup many times this season.
The numbers are the part fans keep coming back to. The two-time MLB All-Star is batting .208 with 64 hits, eight home runs, 38 RBIs, 33 runs, and four stolen bases in 85 games. The 29-year-old is in his eighth season, all with the Braves.
Manager Walt Weiss has tried to reach him from every angle. On July 1. Grant McAuley of 92.9 The Game wrote that Weiss mentioned Austin Riley and Chipper Jones have had several conversations recently in hopes of helping turn his season around. McAuley also wrote they were spotted by the batting cage prior to Wednesday’s game.
Riley once stood among the National League’s elite hitters. In 2026, his struggles have been on full display—and for Atlanta, the timing matters. If the Braves want to make a deep run in the 2026 MLB playoffs, they’ll likely need Riley to step up his play.
The Braves are coming in dealing with their own recent slide. Over the last ten games, they’re 2-8. Still, the larger picture hasn’t collapsed: they sit atop the National League East with a 50-35 record in 85 games.
After four games with the Mets, the Braves will visit the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday. And at home, they’ve been strong at Truist Park—25-16 in 41 games.
UPDATE: The Braves won 5-3.
Atlanta Braves New York Mets Austin Riley Truist Park lineup National League East Walt Weiss 2026 MLB playoffs