Atlanta Braves MAILBAG: Should Austin Riley Be Benched?

Atlanta Braves face tough questions as Austin Riley’s struggles reach a breaking point—should manager Walt Weiss finally bench him? Jake Mastroianni unpacks Riley’s dramatic three-year decline, the impact on Braves’ lineup construction, and the organization’s options as the postseason approaches. Defensive metrics, strikeout rates, and potential replacements like Mauricio Dubón and Jorge Mateo take center stage as listeners weigh in on the third base conundrum. Trade rumors and future strategy dominate the rest of the mailbag, with hot topics including Sean Murphy’s injury impact, whether to pursue a top starter like Logan Webb or Tarik Skubal, and contract extension scenarios for key depth pieces. Insights into pitching prospects, the Braves’ draft strategy, and the team’s ongoing sweep struggles round out a packed episode. Will Alex Anthopoulos make a bold move to bolster Atlanta’s World Series hopes?   Photo Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub     Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! 5-Hour ENERGY Bring on the sweetness with Cotton Candy 5-hour ENERGY®️ shots—available online now at https://5hourENERGY.com or on Amazon.   Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at https://Indeed.com/podcast   KALSHI For a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code LOCKEDON to get ten dollars when you trade ten. Kalshi. Trade on anything.     Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.   FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get one-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game.   FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.