Major League Baseball has announced the postponement of two crucial games between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets, a decision influenced by the imminent threat posed by Hurricane Helene to the Atlanta area. The original schedule had these pivotal games slated for Wednesday and Thursday, but with player safety and weather conditions at the forefront, the league has opted to delay them.
The rescheduled games are set to be played as a doubleheader on Monday, but only if they hold postseason implications. With the termination of the regular season looming, the stakes couldn't be higher for both teams involved. The Mets, holding an 87-70 record, have already secured the National League's No. 5 seed, but the Braves find themselves in a tighter situation. Atlanta is trailing just half a game behind Arizona for the final NL wild-card spot, making every game critical as they vie for a playoff berth.
This weekend sees both teams facing significant matchups besides their rescheduled doubleheader. The Mets are scheduled for a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers, while the Braves will take on the Kansas City Royals at home. Consequently, this rearrangement means the Mets will need to travel back to Atlanta to fulfill the doubleheader if it indeed becomes necessary to determine their postseason fate.
Truist Park, where Tuesday's series opener already saw the Braves secure a 5-1 victory in front of an impressive crowd of 40,103 fans, stood at the center of considerations for rescheduling. According to the New York Post, the Braves were initially resistant to moving any games within this series primarily because they were anticipating large crowds.
This sentiment was corroborated by background conversations with involved personnel. It appears the Braves were expecting substantial attendance for all three games and were reluctant to lose ticket revenue. Additionally, they were concerned about the logistical challenges involved in rescheduling, which would include reorganizing personnel such as security staff and concessionaires. "The Braves balked at moving any games this series because they were expecting large crowds at Truist Park," a source noted. These concerns highlighted the often overlooked complexities behind seemingly straightforward schedule changes.
Ultimately, the responsibility for making the tough call to postpone fell to MLB. "The league has the final say," another insider remarked, emphasizing that while the Braves had their preferences, the overarching decision was made by the league authorities, possibly after weighing numerous logistical and safety factors. This isn't merely about the fans in the stands but also the broader aspects, including player safety and ensuring fair competition under equitable conditions.
The ramifications of this delay reverberate beyond the Braves and the Mets. Several other teams, notably those contending for wild-card spots, will be keenly watching the outcomes of these postponed games. "The games will only be played if there are postseason implications, but that seems likely as things stand," another source elaborated. Given the tightly packed standings, particularly in the National League, the likelihood of these games bearing significant outcomes is quite high.
As the teams prepare for their upcoming games this weekend, attention will be divided between immediate performance and the potential impact of the delayed matches. Players and fans alike will be keeping an eye on Hurricane Helene and its effect on the Atlanta region, hopeful for clear skies and clarity in the playoff picture by early next week.