Outlook Austin Riley
Austin Riley looks to break out of a prolonged slump as the division-leading Braves return home
Riley has struggled significantly of late, slashing just .205/.311/.308 over his last 14 days with only one home run and 14 strikeouts. He remains the everyday anchor at third base for a first-place Atlanta team that currently sits at 55-40 and is riding a one-game win streak. Despite the individual slump, his role is secure in a lineup currently missing Ronald Acuña Jr., keeping his fantasy volume high even as the quality of contact has dipped.
Under the hood, Riley’s .206 season average is well below our projected .260 mark, and his high strikeout rate remains a significant hurdle. While our data originally projected 22 homers, he is currently on a pace closer to 15, which aligns with recent commentary regarding a multi-year decline in his overall production. Managers should be wary that this may be a permanent shift in his profile rather than a simple fluke, though his career history of elite power still offers hope for a late-summer surge.
The Braves have three remaining games this week, all at home against the Rangers starting Friday. Texas does not have their full rotation set, but playing in Atlanta provides a neutral environment for Riley to attempt to snap his 2-for-14 skid over the last seven days. Because he continues to hit in the heart of a productive lineup and possesses high-end power upside, he remains a necessary option in most standard leagues despite the recent volatility. Start.
Updated 1 day ago
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Outlook Jackson Merrill
Jackson Merrill provides defensive highlights and elite speed as he looks to stabilize his batting average
Merrill has found more consistency at the plate recently, slashing .279 with two home runs and eight runs scored over his last 14 days. He remains the everyday center fielder for the third-place Padres, who currently sit at 48-48 and are fighting to stay relevant in the NL West. While he has dealt with minor physical issues like sore ribs earlier this season, he is healthy and continues to be a staple in the San Diego lineup.
While his .219 season average is a significant drop from his rookie marks, his underlying profile suggests room for positive regression toward our projected .269 mark. Interestingly, his 19 stolen bases have already smashed our season projection of nine, proving he is a much more aggressive runner this year. As his contact rate stabilizes back toward his career norms, he should return to being the dynamic multi-category threat fantasy managers expected.
The Padres head to Kansas City for a three-game set to close out the week. Merrill faces a favorable slate against Seth Lugo, who carries a 4.56 ERA, and rookie Noah Cameron, who enters the weekend with a 1.43 WHIP. Given the quality of these matchups and his surging confidence on the basepaths, he is a strong lineup option for the remaining games this week. Start.
Updated 1 day ago
