The Atlanta Braves, once again poised for a postseason run, find themselves in a familiar and increasingly uncomfortable position: waiting for their most powerful bats to deliver in the game’s most critical moments. As the regular season pushes into its summer stretch, sources close to the organization confirm that the front office, led by GM Alex Anthopoulos, is no longer just concerned — they’re preparing to act.
At the heart of the issue are two of Atlanta’s cornerstone players: Matt Olson and Austin Riley. Statistically, both remain forces in the lineup. Olson, a 40+ home run threat, and Riley, a two-time Silver Slugger at third base, have each played pivotal roles in keeping the Braves atop the NL East standings. But the numbers don’t tell the full story — especially not in October.
The Clutch Crisis
The term “clutch” is intangible, but every championship team seems to have it. The Braves did in 2021, when veterans like Freddie Freeman, Jorge Soler, and Eddie Rosario delivered iconic moments that carried Atlanta to its first title in over two decades. Since then, however, that magic has quietly slipped away — and the pressure is now squarely on Olson and Riley to fill that void.
According to internal metrics reviewed by the organization, both Olson and Riley rank near the bottom of the Braves’ roster in late-inning batting average and OPS in one-run games. Their struggles in extra innings are particularly alarming. In fact, since the start of 2023, Olson is hitting under .200 in high-leverage situations, with Riley not far ahead.
One Braves insider, speaking on condition of anonymity, put it bluntly: “These guys are fantastic players. But if we’re being honest, when the moment gets big, they shrink. And it’s starting to cost us.”
Flashing Red Lights
It’s not just the stats — it’s the optics. Fans have noticed it. Opposing pitchers know it. In a recent extra-innings loss to a division rival, Olson popped up with runners on second and third in the bottom of the 10th — the third such opportunity he’s squandered in the last two weeks. Riley, meanwhile, has quietly gone hitless in his last 14 at-bats with runners in scoring position.
In contrast, unheralded names like rookie Drake Baldwin have shined. Baldwin, called up earlier this season, already has multiple go-ahead hits in the late innings and is quickly earning the trust of manager Brian Snitker. Even Eli White, in limited appearances, has shown a knack for making the most of big moments — something the stars simply aren’t doing.
Anthopoulos Must Make a Call
General Manager Alex Anthopoulos, who has built one of the deepest and most talented rosters in baseball, now faces a harsh reality: he may have misjudged his stars’ ability to lead when it matters most. It’s not that Olson and Riley lack skill — they have more raw power than nearly any duo in baseball — but so far, that power has not translated into postseason poise.
And the front office knows it can’t wait any longer.
Multiple sources confirm that the Braves are considering several internal and external moves, including:
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Shuffling the batting order, potentially moving Riley to a less pressurized spot in the lineup.
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Adding a veteran bat at the deadline, someone with postseason experience and a proven clutch track record.
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Giving Baldwin and other young hitters expanded roles, especially in late-game situations.
It’s not about punishing Olson or Riley — it’s about maximizing the window this team has to win. Atlanta’s roster is built to contend now. Wasting another October due to underperformance from their biggest bats is no longer acceptable.
A Fork in the Road
For Olson, who arrived from Oakland with sky-high expectations, the questions about playoff pressure are becoming more than just whispers. He’s beloved in the clubhouse and respected across the league, but if he can’t produce when the lights are brightest, the Braves may have to think differently about how they build around him going forward.
Riley, still just 27, has shown flashes of October brilliance — but too inconsistently. There’s a growing belief that he’s still adjusting to the superstar label thrust upon him. The Braves believe in his long-term ceiling, but time is running out to prove he can be the guy when it counts most.
The Clock Is Ticking
As Atlanta heads into a crucial stretch of the season, the message is clear: this team’s success hinges on whether Olson and Riley can evolve into the clutch performers they’re being paid — and expected — to be.
If they can, the Braves will remain a juggernaut with a real shot at another World Series. If not, the front office is prepared to make bold changes. The clock is ticking. The postseason is coming. And for Olson and Riley, so is the defining moment of their Braves careers.
