The Atlanta Braves and New York Mets began a critical three-game series on Tuesday night with significant postseason implications on the line. The Mets entered the series holding a narrow half-game lead for a wild-card spot, with the Braves trailing by just half a game.
In an essential opening game on Tuesday, the Braves came out victorious, tightening the race for the postseason berth. The Mets, however, could still secure their spot in the playoffs by winning two out of the next three games in the series. Meanwhile, the Braves will need more than just this series to secure their postseason destiny.
Weather Uncertainty Looms
The stakes of this series are made even more complicated by the looming threat of Hurricane Helene, which was upgraded to a hurricane in the National Hurricane Center’s 11 a.m. Wednesday update. Forecasts suggest that Hurricane Helene will make landfall in Florida on Thursday as a formidable Category 3 storm. By Wednesday at 1 p.m., heavy rain is expected to begin in Atlanta and persist through Friday. The city could also face thunderstorms and the potential for tornadoes during this period.
As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, the league had not made any changes to the series schedule. Thursday’s game is currently set for a 7:20 p.m. ET start, but adjustments could be made to avoid the worst of the storm. One possible option is moving Thursday’s game to an earlier time, such as 1 p.m. ET or 12 p.m. ET. Additionally, a doubleheader on Wednesday could be considered due to Monday’s off-day, ensuring that both games are played before the weather worsens.
Potential for Relocation or Rescheduling
The Major League Baseball (MLB) has in the past relocated entire series due to severe weather. Notable instances include the Astros vs. Cubs series in 2008, which moved to Milwaukee’s Miller Park because of Hurricane Ike, and the Rangers vs. Astros series in 2017, relocated to Tampa’s Tropicana Field in response to Hurricane Harvey. Should relocation become necessary for the Braves and Mets, Globe Life Field in Arlington appears to be a practical alternative.
Another option, though complex, would be to postpone the game to Monday, which is an off-day between the conclusion of the regular season and the start of the Wild Card Series. This alteration would only take place if the game’s outcome significantly affects postseason qualification, potentially leading to both teams playing a 161-game season instead of the typical 162 games.
Both moving the game to a neutral site and rescheduling it post-regular season represent complex last resorts. The simplest and most efficient course of action would be either advancing Thursday’s game to an earlier slot or scheduling a doubleheader on Wednesday.
Manager's Insights and Official Monitoring
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza remarked that he had not received any word from MLB regarding schedule changes as of 5 p.m. Tuesday. MLB officials are keeping a close watch on Hurricane Helene’s path to make timely decisions that ensure the safety of players and fans while maintaining the integrity of the postseason race.
The Braves, who do not face immediate travel requirements following this series, may find these contingencies less disruptive compared to the Mets, who face a potentially tumultuous schedule ahead.
The National Hurricane Center has warned the public about the severe impacts of Hurricane Helene. According to their statement, the storm is expected to bring "life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and flooding rains to a large portion of Florida and the southeastern United States."
As the Braves and Mets continue their series, both teams and their fans will undoubtedly remain vigilant, keeping a keen eye on both the scoreboard and the weather updates. The outcome of this series and the postseason implications hinge as much on the forecast as they do on the field of play.