This week could be the turning point for the 2024 MLB regular season as the Atlanta Braves host the New York Mets for a decisive three-game series at Truist Park. With postseason spots on the line, both teams find themselves entrenched in a high-stakes standoff that promises to be as dramatic as it is crucial.
Adding to the tension, a potential hurricane is bearing down on the region, a situation that undoubtedly adds another layer of unpredictability to an already volatile scenario. As it stands, all National League teams trailing Atlanta have been eliminated from the wild-card race, leaving just four teams fighting for three coveted postseason berths.
The Stakes Are High
Two years ago, the Braves delivered a crushing blow to the Mets by sweeping them in the penultimate series of the regular season, costing New York its hold on first place in the NL East. The memory of that defeat surely lingers and serves only to heighten the drama for both teams this year.
The series kicks off on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 7:20 p.m. ET with a duel between right-handers Luis Severino of the Mets and Spencer Schwellenbach of the Braves. The following matchups don't disappoint either, featuring accomplished left-handers. On Wednesday, David Peterson will take the mound for the Mets against Chris Sale of the Braves, and on Thursday, Sean Manaea will face off against Max Fried.
The Mets have strategically adjusted their rotation, opting to use Monday's off-day to bump Jose Quintana’s start back to Friday, preserving his arm for crucial subsequent games.
Player Performances and Injuries
For the Mets, rookie Luisangel Acuña has been nothing short of stellar since stepping in for the injured Francisco Lindor. Hitting .409 with two doubles, a triple, and three home runs, Acuña has been a revelation at shortstop. Veteran Jose Iglesias has also stepped up, batting .467 since taking over the leadoff spot and second base duties due to Jeff McNeil’s wrist injury. Lindor remains optimistic about a return this season, though he acknowledged he might not be entirely pain-free.
Braves fans have reasons for optimism as well. Marcell Ozuna has been slashing .329/.417/.425 this September, while newcomers Ramón Laureano and Whit Merrifield have also made significant contributions. However, not everyone is faring well; JD Martinez and Mark Vientos have struggled throughout September, casting some doubts about their ability to deliver under pressure.
What’s at Stake for Both Teams
Even sweeping this series won't clinch a wild-card spot for the Braves, especially if the Arizona Diamondbacks falter in their games against the San Francisco Giants. However, if the Mets manage to win two out of three games, their postseason ticket will be all but secured. The Braves, on the other hand, wouldn’t be entirely out of the running; they could still surpass Arizona depending on the final outcomes of the season’s remaining games.
As the series concludes, the Mets will head to Milwaukee for a matchup against the Brewers, who have already clinched the NL Central and are setting their sights on securing a Wild Card Series bye. The Braves, meanwhile, will stay home for a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals, another team embroiled in a tight wild-card race. Sean Murphy, summing up the stakes, said it best: “You knew it a couple weeks ago, right? That series is probably gonna help decide this thing.”
The significance of this week’s games cannot be overstated. Both the Braves and Mets know what's on the line, and the coming games could very well determine their postseason fate. Game 162 looms ahead as a possible win-or-go-home scenario for both the Braves and Royals, ensuring an electrifying finish to an already thrilling season.