Phillies news and rumors 8/19: Austin Riley’s injury could have major impact

Austin Riley will be out six to eight weeks with a fracture in his right hand. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)

The Phillies start a stretch of 13 games in 13 days on Tuesday night in Atlanta. Seven of those games are against the second-place Braves, who will be without one of their most important players.

The Braves announced on Monday that third baseman Austin Riley will be out for about six to eight weeks with a right-hand fracture. The injury occurred on Sunday, when the Braves’ third baseman was hit by a pitch in the club’s game against the Angels.

This injury to Riley isn’t the first major ailment to a Braves player this season. The injury bug has been biting Atlanta all season long. Aside from the season-ending injuries to Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuña Jr., players like Ozzie Albies, Michael Harris II and Sean Murphy have all spent extended time on the injured list in 2024. Riley’s current status — his regular season is over — just continues to pile on to what has already been a frustrating year in Atlanta.

The Braves have spent most of this year trailing the Phillies for the lead in the National League East. After holding on to the top Wild Card spot in the NL for a majority of the summer, Atlanta has recently fallen to the third and final Wild Card spot in the standings.

As MLB.com’s Mark Bowman puts it, “… there’s reason to wonder if the injury-ravaged Braves will even make the playoffs.” And it’s a fair point.

The next two weeks are a very important stretch when it comes to not only the NL East but the Braves’ season. The seven games played Tuesday and Sept. 1 between Philadelphia and Atlanta will have a major impact on the divisional race. There are also teams on the outside looking in knocking on Atlanta’s door in the Wild Card standings.

With little wiggle room, every remaining game for the Braves is nearly a must-win. Going through that without their All-Star third baseman is going to be tough.

Riley has been a major part of the Braves’ offense during the summer months. After a slow start to the season, he hit .275 with a .870 OPS that was 15th in the NL between June 1 and this past Sunday. Riley’s 16 homers were tied for fourth-most in the league in that same time frame.

The Phillies not having to face Riley is an interesting development that could very well help the club’s pitching staff. During his career, Riley has been a Phillies killer.

In 326 plate appearances, the two-time All-Star has a .300/.365/.573 batting line against the Phillies with 24 doubles, 18 home runs and 45 RBIs. Those 24 doubles are the most he’s hit against an opposing team during his six seasons in the majors. The 45 RBIs are his second most against any team.

Riley’s success against the Phillies has been on full display at Citizens Bank Park, where Rob Thomson’s club will host the Braves for four games between Aug. 29 and Sept. 1. Riley’s career slash line in South Philly is .306/.370/.583. His 14 doubles at CBP are the most he’s hit at a ballpark away from Atlanta’s Truist Park. Meanwhile, Riley’s 84 total bases at CBP are tied for the most he has as a visiting player in any ballpark.

Aside from raking against just about any Phillies pitcher, there’s one Riley has had a lot of success against — Aaron Nola.

With the way the Phillies have their rotation lined up beginning Tuesday, Nola will likely be on the mound for two of the club’s upcoming seven games against the Braves. Riley has crushed Nola throughout their time facing each other. In 60 plate appearances against the Phillies’ right-hander, Riley has hit .386/.417/.789 with five doubles, six home runs and 11 RBIs.

Being without some of their best players, the Braves weren’t going to be at full strength against the Phillies in the coming days. Now, with Riley out of action, Brian Snitker’s club will really lack the star power they once had back on Opening Day against the Phillies.

The Phillies will have to take advantage of that fact. Winning most of these upcoming games against the Braves would go a long way in deciding whether or not they win the franchise’s first division title since 2011.

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