The Atlanta Braves and New York Mets began a pivotal three-game series on Tuesday night, intensifying the competitive atmosphere as both teams vie for a postseason berth. Currently, the Mets have a slight edge, holding a half-game lead on a wild-card spot. However, the Braves are nipping at their heels, trailing by just half a game.
Intense Playoff Implications
In the opening clash of the series, the Braves emerged victorious, setting the tone for what promises to be a gripping showdown. The Mets, with their postseason aspirations on the line, need to clinch two out of the next three games to secure their spot in the playoffs. Conversely, the Braves, even if they sweep the series, won't be able to entirely solidify their postseason position yet.
The Looming Threat of Hurricane Helene
Complicating the on-field drama is the off-field menace of Hurricane Helene, which has been upgraded to a hurricane in the National Hurricane Center's 11 a.m. Wednesday update. The hurricane is anticipated to make landfall in Florida on Thursday as a formidable Category 3 storm. As the weather system approaches, heavy rain is expected to inundate Atlanta starting from 1 p.m. Wednesday through to Friday, accompanied by thunderstorms and possibly even tornadoes.
"Life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and flooding rains to a large portion of Florida and the southeastern United States," the National Hurricane Center has warned vigorously.
Scheduling Challenges and Possible Adjustments
Despite the severe weather forecast, as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, league officials had not made any changes to the series schedule. Thursday's game remains slated for a 7:20 p.m. ET start. However, MLB is actively considering adjustments, such as moving Thursday's game to earlier in the day—potentially to 1 p.m. ET or 12 p.m. ET—to sidestep the brunt of the storm. Another viable option includes scheduling a doubleheader on Wednesday, aided by both teams having an off-day on Monday.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza indicated the uncertainty, noting, "He had not received any word from MLB as of 5 p.m. Tuesday."
Potential for Relocation
The league has a history of relocating entire series due to severe weather conditions. 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. In this scenario, Globe Life Field in Arlington has been identified as a potential alternate site should relocation become necessary for the Mets and Braves.
Impact on Teams' Schedules
If Thursday's game gets 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 rescheduling would only be considered if the game has significant implications for determining postseason qualification. Otherwise, both teams may end up playing a 161-game season instead of the usual 162, as moving the game to a neutral site or rescheduling it post-regular season remains a complex last resort.
Currently, the most straightforward solutions are either advancing Thursday’s game or scheduling a doubleheader on Wednesday. Fortunately for the Braves, they do not have immediate travel commitments following this series. However, the Mets face a more convoluted schedule, potentially exacerbating the disruption.
As the Braves and Mets intensify their on-field battle, MLB officials are closely monitoring Hurricane Helene’s trajectory, ready to implement necessary adjustments to ensure the safety and fairness of the game. The unfolding situation demands flexibility and preparedness from all parties involved, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion to both teams’ regular seasons.