Tony’s Take | BUSTer | .500 | Broken | Big Inning | Edition 101

Do yourself a favor and tap that app on Mondays for the interview of ESPNs Buster Olney on Atlantas 680theFan at high noon.

Buster is one of the leading MLB voices, and the interview is full of information regarding the Braves and beyond.

As you recall, I pushed back on Busters comments the week of June 13, when he declared the NL East Division was in the books for the Braves.

Well, its the end of June, and the Braves lead over the Phillies has shrunk to 2.5 games after leading by 10.5 games earlier in 2026.

The double-digit lead always felt like fools gold to me.

Knowing how momentum can shift quickly, Yahoo Sports provides rational on the Braves current slide.

During June 2026, the Atlanta Braves struggled immensely at the plate, posting an MLB-worst .214 batting average, a .267 on-base percentage (OBP), and a .601 OPS.

They scored a league-low 74 runs and hit the fewest home runs (19) in all of Major League Baseball during the month.

Those offensive stats bring up nightmares from last season.

The question is when/can the Braves dig themselves out of the slump and return to winning baseball? In my opinion, the Braves do not have the everyday player who has the voice and grit needed to be the voice in the clubhouse to help navigate the current turbulence.

In short, the Braves are in trouble and may find themselves on the outside looking in this October.

When many were saying the Phillies lineup was aging and their season as over in the midst of their early-season woes, I felt Philly was simply too experienced and talented not to have a run in them.

Dont look now, the NL East race has tightened with roughly 80 games to play.

.500.

Lets not kid ourselves, the Braves were outperforming their talent and lack of starting pitching when they had the best record in baseball.

The Braves are 49 34 and sit at an impressive 15 games over .500 despite having lost 7 of their last 10 games.

Speaking of .500, what does the Braves season look like if they play break-even ball the remainder of the season? This would result in 90 wins against 72 losses.

Will that be enough to play in the postseason? Playing .500 baseball over the last several months of the season would not cause the other teams to fear the Chop should the playoffs materialize.

According to Google, there are currently 9 teams in the National League on pace for 85 to 94 wins.

All indications are the National League race will be tight and entertaining.

Broken.

The primary assets of the left side of the Braves infield are broken inside the box.

Shortstop Kim has a BA of .068, yes, below .100, in 26 appearances, while 3rd baseman Riley is swinging a paltry .209 through 82 appearances.

Meanwhile, Dubon, the super-utility infielder who plays both SS and 3rd base, is batting .267 AVG | 8 HR | 43 RBI | .316 OBP | .737 OPS in 78 appearances.

Its time for the Braves to make changes on the left side.

Dubon should be a regular starter at shortstop while the Braves bring up 3rd baseman McCabe from AA Columbus once he is reactivated.

McCabe is batting a solid .282 AVG | 16 HR | 53 H.

Mac will bring better offensive numbers than Riley and Kim and provide power numbers for the ATLs recent anemic offense.

Perhaps AA can add a 3rd baseman by the trade deadline and starting arm, but it is clear Riley and Kim have played their way out of the starting lineup or into a demotion off the MLB roster.

Big Inning.

In an effort to create more action for baseball television audiences, Apple TV has a version of NFL RedZone.

According to MLB.com, MLB Big Inning is a live, whip-around baseball show that broadcasts on weekday evenings during the regular season.

Produced by MLB Network, it functions similarly to NFL RedZone by jumping from game to game to show live look-ins, critical at-bats, and real-time highlights as they happen across all 30 MLB teams.

For me, I can be channel surfing and stop on most basketball or football games.

Outside the Braves, Im not one to watch the Boys of Summer beyond a quick peek.

Im certain Im not alone.

After discovering MLB Big Inning, I find myself checking out this fast-paced live look-in experience when Im not satisfied with what Im seeing as I surf between apps during the summer months.

Check it out.

Its worth the look.

Follow Tony Duckworth on the X platform at @tonyduckworthsr or email him at [email protected].

Duckworth is a native of Macon and is the President and CEO of the Albany Area YMCA.

Tony worked in intercollegiate athletics for thirty-one years.

He was an NCAA Division II Director of Athletics at three universities, including Albany State, following ten years as a head mens basketball coach at two colleges.