Braves and Mets Look to Edge Out Postseason Berths Amid Weather Woes
The Atlanta Braves and New York Mets kicked off a highly anticipated three-game series on Tuesday night, each team eager to secure their spot in the postseason. The Mets currently hold a tenuous half-game lead on a wild-card spot, with the Braves nipping at their heels, trailing by only half a game. With so much at stake, fans and players alike are keeping a close watch on the scoreboards—and now, the weather reports.
The Braves clinched the first victory of the series on Tuesday, setting the stage for a make-or-break week in both teams' schedules. For the Mets, the task is clear: win two out of the next three games, and a postseason berth is theirs. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza noted that, as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, he had not received any word from MLB regarding potential schedule changes due to incoming weather disturbances.
Weather Concerns Loom Large
Adding an element of unpredictability to an already tension-filled series, the National Hurricane Center announced Wednesday morning that Hurricane Helene had been upgraded to a hurricane. Forecasts have pegged Helene to make landfall in Florida on Thursday as a formidable Category 3 storm. Its influence, however, could be felt as far away as Atlanta.
Heavy rain is anticipated to begin in Atlanta by 1 p.m. Wednesday and is expected to linger through Friday, with thunderstorms and even tornadoes possible during this period. Despite the looming weather threats, the league as of Tuesday evening had made no adjustments to the series schedule, with Thursday's game still set for a 7:20 p.m. ET start. However, MLB is monitoring Hurricane Helene's path closely and has several contingency plans.
Possible Schedule Adjustments
Given the severe weather forecast, the league may face limited yet significant choices to ensure the series proceeds safely and fairly. Moving Thursday's game to an earlier time slot, such as 1 p.m. ET or 12 p.m. ET, is one option to avoid the worst of the storm. Another possibility is scheduling a doubleheader on Wednesday, an approach facilitated by Monday's off-day.
Relocating an entire series due to severe weather is not unprecedented in MLB history. Past examples include the Astros vs. Cubs series in 2008, which was transferred to Milwaukee's Miller Park because of Hurricane Ike, and the Rangers vs. Astros series in 2017, moved to Tampa's Tropicana Field following Hurricane Harvey. Should relocation become necessary for the Braves and Mets, Globe Life Field in Arlington is among the potential alternative venues.
If Thursday's game were postponed to Monday, it would land on the off-day between the end of the regular season and the start of the Wild Card Series. This adjustment would likely be made only if the game holds significant import in determining postseason qualifications. Both teams might end up playing a 161-game season instead of the standard 162 if the game is not rescheduled, adding another layer of complexity to this already intricate scenario.
Implications for Both Teams
The Atlanta Braves, fortunately, do not face immediate travel demands after this series, giving them some flexibility in adjusting their schedules. However, the Mets could find any disruptions particularly challenging, given their potentially tight and packed schedule post-series.
The National Hurricane Center has warned of "life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and flooding rains to a large portion of Florida and the southeastern United States." These dire predictions underline the necessity for MLB to prudently weigh its options, prioritizing the safety of players, staff, and fans while ensuring the integrity of the competition.
As the week unfolds, the duel between the Braves and the Mets is set against not just the backdrop of postseason aspirations but also the formidable unpredictability of nature. Amid the escalating tension on the field and the gathering storm, the next few days promise to be a critical juncture for both teams striving to transform their season-long efforts into playoff reality.