Can you believe it! The Atlanta Braves pitched a shutout on Wednesday evening en route to a 3-0 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates, whom they are currently taking on in a 3-game series.
With the series between the Braves and Pirates knotted at one apiece, it’s a rubber match taking place on Thursday afternoon. Atlanta will roll with Bryce Elder (5-6, 4.01 ERA, 83 SO) in the afternoon matinee, and Pittsburgh is sending Mitch Keller to the bump for the series finale.
A couple of hours before the series finale, like they always do, the Braves’ revealed their lineup.
More MLB on Heavy: St. Louis Cardinals Cut 4-Year MLB Player During Brewers Series
Braves’ Austin Riley Drops One Spot in Order
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – JULY 5: Austin Riley #27 of the Atlanta Braves hits a single against the New York Mets in the ninth inning at Truist Park on July 5, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Brett Davis/Getty Images)
Austin Riley is still trying to get back on track this season, so manager Walt Weiss is trying to implement him in different spots in the order.
Well, on Thursday, Riley is batting 7th for the Braves.
@UnderdogMLB released the full Braves lineup for 7/9:
Braves 7/9: “M. Harris II CF O. Albies 2B M. Olson 1B D. Baldwin C M. Dubón LF D. Smith DH A. Riley 3B M. Yastrzemski RF J. Jarvis SS”
M. Harris II CF O. Albies 2B M. Olson 1B D. Baldwin C M. Dubón LF D. Smith DH A. Riley 3B M. Yastrzemski RF J. Jarvis SS
B. Elder SP
Some notables from the lineup drop: Jim Jarvis is getting the start at shortstop, and the only real change is Dominic Smith taking over as the DH today, and Austin Riley sliding down one spot in the order.
More MLB on Heavy: Chicago Cubs Recent Player Elects Free Agency During Orioles Series
Austin Riley This Season
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – JULY 1: Austin Riley #27 reacts with Matt Olson #28 of the Atlanta Braves following the 5-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals at Truist Park on July 1, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
It certainly hasn’t been the season Austin Riley has hoped for up until this point, but there is still time to turn it around for the 2X MLB All-Star infielder.
Over 329 at-bats this season, Riley is batting .210 with an OPS+ of 73. Both marks would by far be career lows for Riley, who is the highest-paid player in Atlanta Braves franchise history.
He has hit nine home runs, 13 doubles, and has recorded 41 RBI this season. It’s unclear what the reason is behind the struggles, but the concerning part is that Riley continues to slip in the order, so it’s not like opposing pitchers are circling his ABs on any given night with an emphasis to pitch him differently.
More MLB on Heavy: New York Yankees Announce New Jose Caballero Role During Rays Series
Atlanta Braves Announce Austin Riley Change Before Pirates Series Finale