The Atlanta Braves and New York Mets began a pivotal three-game series on Tuesday night that carries significant postseason implications for both teams. The Mets currently maintain a precarious half-game lead on a wild-card spot, with the Braves trailing closely behind by just half a game. In the opening game of this critical series, the Braves clinched an essential victory, heightening the stakes for the remaining matchups.
The Mets' postseason hopes are largely dependent on this series, as they can secure their spot by winning two out of the next three games. The Braves, on the other hand, have a more complicated path and can't secure their postseason berth solely through this series. Both teams are acutely aware of the significance of each game, adding another layer of intensity to an already heated rivalry.
Weather Concerns Loom Over Series
Adding to the drama is the looming threat of Hurricane Helene, which was upgraded to a hurricane in the National Hurricane Center's 11 a.m. Wednesday update. The storm is anticipated to make landfall in Florida on Thursday as a Category 3 storm, bringing life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and flooding rains to a large portion of Florida and the southeastern United States. Heavy rain is expected to begin in Atlanta by 1 p.m. Wednesday, persisting through Friday, with the potential for thunderstorms and tornadoes.
As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, MLB had not made any adjustments to the series schedule, much to the concern of both teams. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza noted, "he had not received any word from MLB as of 5 p.m. Tuesday." The series continues under a cloud of uncertainty, with Thursday's game currently scheduled for a 7:20 p.m. ET start.
Possible Schedule Adjustments
Given the severe weather forecast, MLB is considering several options to mitigate the impact on the games. The simplest and most efficient solutions include moving Thursday's game to an earlier time slot, such as 1 p.m. ET or 12 p.m. ET, to avoid the worst of the storm, or scheduling a doubleheader on Wednesday due to Monday’s off-day.
In past instances of severe weather, entire series have been relocated to neutral sites. Notable examples include the Astros vs. Cubs series in 2008, moved to Milwaukee's Miller Park due to Hurricane Ike, and the Rangers vs. Astros series in 2017, relocated to Tampa's Tropicana Field in response to Hurricane Harvey. For the Braves and Mets, Globe Life Field in Arlington stands out as a potential alternate site should relocation become necessary.
MLB officials continue to monitor Hurricane Helene's path closely and will make a decision based on the latest weather updates. If the game were postponed to Monday, it would fall on the off-day between the end of the regular season and the start of the Wild Card Series. However, this adjustment would only be made if the game holds significant weight in determining postseason qualification. Should the game be deemed non-critical, both teams might end up playing a 161-game season instead of the standard 162.
Implications for Both Teams
The scheduling complications are more disruptive for the Mets, who face a tight travel schedule after this series. In contrast, the Braves do not have to travel immediately, giving them a slight logistical advantage. Nevertheless, both teams are focused on the immediate task at hand: winning enough games to secure their postseason positions.
The Braves' Tuesday night victory adds to the pressure on the Mets, who must find a way to win at least two of the next three games to ensure their place in the postseason. With the threat of severe weather and the potential for schedule changes, both teams are in a race against time and nature.
As fans and players alike await MLB's decision, the underlying tension continues to build. The outcome of this series could very well hinge on not just the performance on the field, but also the impact of Hurricane Helene. The baseball world watches closely as every pitch, swing, and play could determine the fate of these two teams' postseason dreams.