As Hurricane Helene casts a shadow over the region, the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets find themselves in a tense holding pattern, waiting to see if they can complete their critical three-game series at Truist Park. With the potential for heavy rain and strong winds, Wednesday and Thursday’s games are at risk of disruption.
Currently, Major League Baseball (MLB) has not announced any changes to the schedule, despite the looming threat posed by the hurricane. Historically, the league has relocated games to neutral sites under similar circumstances, but no such decision has been made this time. Various alternatives, such as rescheduling Thursday’s game to Monday or organizing a doubleheader, are no longer viable options.
Tuesday's series opener saw an attendance of 40,103 fans at Truist Park, who witnessed the Braves secure a 5-1 victory. The large turnout reflected the significant stakes of these games, given the current standings. The Braves trail the Arizona Diamondbacks by a mere half-game for the third wild-card slot, while the Mets hold a half-game lead over Arizona and a one-game advantage over Atlanta. Potential cancellations could further complicate the already tight race for playoff spots.
"Basically the Braves were expecting large attendance for the three games and did not want to forego the gates nor work through the logistics of moving personnel such as security, concessionaires, etc. to other dates or start times," sources indicated. This sentiment highlights the challenges associated with rescheduling and the importance of revenue from ticket sales.
Despite the weather concerns, MLB has decided not to alter the current scheduling setup. The Braves and Mets could potentially face a doubleheader next Monday, an off-day between the end of the regular season and the start of the Wild Card Series. If the series gets disrupted, the logistical implications for the Mets are daunting. They might find themselves traveling from Atlanta to Milwaukee, back to Atlanta, and potentially to the west coast, all within a week.
Meanwhile, the Braves are also scheduled to host the Kansas City Royals this weekend, adding another layer of complexity to their already packed agenda. Both teams are keenly aware that any disruptions could have significant ramifications on their postseason aspirations.
When asked for comments on the situation, spokespeople for MLB, the Braves, and the Mets remained tight-lipped. "Spokespeople for MLB, the Braves and the Mets all offered no comment on how this point was reached and what is next," they stated.
With Hurricane Helene looming and the stakes higher than ever, fans and players alike will be keeping a close eye on developments. The outcome of these pivotal games could very well shape the landscape of the postseason.