The Atlanta Braves are facing criticism following a disappointing series against the San Diego Padres, falling to 25–27 and slipping to third place in the NL East. Instead of blaming his players, manager Brian Snitker is pointing to another possible cause for the team’s defensive issue.
The 5–3 loss to the Padres highlighted another rough outing for third baseman, who committed a crucial error. It was his fifth error in the past 15 games and his seventh of the season, ranking him fifth in MLB in that category.
When asked about Riley’s defensive woes, Snitker was quick to defend him. Per MLB.com’s Mark Bowman, Snitker responded:
“I don’t think it’s all on him, to be honest,” he said.
Many interpreted Braves manager Brian Snitker’s recent comments as a veiled criticism of the Truist Park grounds crew. With four of Austin Riley’s recent errors coming at home, questions have intensified about whether the field conditions are contributing to his defensive struggles.
In the last defeat, top star mishandled a routine ground ball that allowed Luis Arraez to reach base. Moments later, Gavin Sheets hit a two-run homer, widening the Padres’ lead and spotlighting the Braves’ defensive lapses once again.
The reaction online was mixed. Some fans accused Snitker of shifting blame away from his players, while others agreed with his assessment, citing the choppy infield bounces that have been noticeable throughout the season. The Braves now trail the division-leading Phillies by 8.5 games and are two games behind the second-place Mets.
As the pressure builds, defensive improvement has become a top priority. Whether the root of the problem lies with Riley, the field surface, or a combination of both, Atlanta needs to find solutions quickly to stay in the playoff race.