NL DIVISION SERIES: BRAVES VS DODGERS

October 7, 2026

Austin Riley

Truist Park

Atlanta Braves

Pregame 4 Press Conference

Q. What is the thought -- you guys all know what you're capable of offensively -- the struggles that this team's had during the past couple postseasons. What's the thought, I mean obviously you're facing good pitching, all that kind of stuff, small sample size. What's your thought going into tonight's game?

AUSTIN RILEY: I think when you look at the success that we've had over good pitching over the postseason and past, I think just passing the baton, having quality at-bats and trying to make it as hard on starting pitching and pitchers in general, just make it as hard on them as possible -- working counts, not getting yourself out. I think that's something that we've got to do tonight. I think if we do that, we'll put ourselves in a good spot.

Q. You guys obviously had a winner-take-all game less than a week ago right here. Is that something that can help you guys tonight, kind of make this not feel so big?

AUSTIN RILEY: Yeah, I think so. Just from a confidence standpoint. We're still very confident. It's a confident clubhouse. We think we can get the job done and take this thing to LA.

We've just got to go out there and play clean baseball and capitalize on the opportunities when it presents itself.

Q. Just knowing how he's been since coming over the deadline, how big is it to have a guy like Tyler Mahle on the mound for a big game?

AUSTIN RILEY: It's huge. He's been huge for us since he's come over, like you said. And he's going to be up for the challenge. We've just got to get him some runs.

Q. Everybody on this team understandably is so competitive and wants to get it going. So how mentally do you say to yourself and not press to be the guy and just make it natural in this moment?

AUSTIN RILEY: Like what I said a minute ago, it's trying to pass the baton. Not trying to hit a three-run homer with nobody on base. Just trying to stay within ourselves.

I feel it's a deep lineup when we've got things going our way. Like I said, just leaning on each other, trusting each other and having good ABs.

Q. The manager has said that the ideal clubhouse, it's loose and focused. Even though with the elimination looming on the horizon, you still have to fight through two more games, are still trying to really stay loose and focused at the same time?

AUSTIN RILEY: For sure, I think you've got to stay that way. No matter the situation, you've got to stay loose, you've got to stay focused, you've got to trust your plan and trust your work that you've put in in the cage and through the whole season, and really just, like I said, trust on that.

Like I said, if you put pressure on yourself in big moments and try to do too much, I think that's when things spiral.

Like I said, we've got to stay loose. And this team's good when our backs are against the wall. I really like tonight and trust that we'll get the job done.