This week, Truist Park will host the most pivotal matchup of the 2024 MLB regular season as the Atlanta Braves take on the New York Mets in a decisive three-game series. With one potential postseason berth at stake, both teams find themselves embroiled in a high-stakes battle that could define their seasons.
Intriguingly, the importance of this series is underscored by past encounters. Two years ago, the Braves dealt a crushing blow to the Mets by sweeping them in the penultimate series of the regular season, causing New York to lose their grip on first place in the NL East. Now, they meet again under equally dramatic circumstances.
High-Stakes Pitching Duels
The series kicks off on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 7:20 p.m. ET with a thrilling duel between right-handers Luis Severino of the Mets and Spencer Schwellenbach of the Braves. The following games will feature matchups of accomplished left-handers: David Peterson against Chris Sale on Wednesday, and Sean Manaea versus Max Fried on Thursday.
The Mets have strategically adjusted their rotation, utilizing Monday's off-day to shift Jose Quintana’s start to Friday. This could be a decisive move as they seek to seal their postseason fate. If the Mets manage to win two of the three games, they will secure their spot in the playoffs, underscoring the gravity of each pitch and at-bat.
Clutch Performances and Key Players
This series is not just about the pitching matchups; the players’ recent forms are equally significant. Rookie Luisangel Acuña has been nothing short of stellar at shortstop, hitting .409 with two doubles, a triple, and three home runs in Francisco Lindor’s absence. Similarly, veteran Jose Iglesias has stepped up to the plate, batting .467 since taking over the leadoff spot and second base duties due to Jeff McNeil’s wrist injury.
Lindor himself remains optimistic about returning this season, though he acknowledges it may be physically taxing. "You knew it a couple weeks ago, right? That series is probably gonna help decide this thing,” said Sean Murphy, articulating the palpable tension surrounding this showdown.
For the Braves, Marcell Ozuna has been performing admirably, posting a slash line of .329/.417/.425 in September. However, the team has also dealt with struggles from key players JD Martinez and Mark Vientos this month. Nevertheless, contributions from Ramón Laureano and Whit Merrifield have bolstered their lineup.
The Broader Playoff Picture
This series carries substantial implications beyond just these two teams. Atlanta has already seen all other National League teams behind them eliminated from the wild-card race, narrowing the postseason battle to a four-team fight for three coveted spots. A hurricane potentially barreling down on the region adds another layer of unpredictability to this consequential series.
Interestingly, even a sweep of the Mets won’t guarantee the Braves a wild-card spot this series, particularly if the Arizona Diamondbacks drop their games against the San Francisco Giants. Conversely, the Braves won’t necessarily be eliminated if the Mets win two games—they could still surpass Arizona depending on how the final games unfold.
Upcoming Challenges
After this climactic series, the Mets will head to Milwaukee to face the Brewers, who have clinched the NL Central and are now seeking to secure a Wild Card Series bye. Meanwhile, the Braves will stay at home for a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals, another team firmly in the wild-card mix.
The final game of the regular season, Game 162, could turn into a win-or-go-home situation for both the Braves and Royals, adding yet another layer of excitement to this dramatic conclusion of the regular season.
As the tension mounts, fans and players alike will keep a close eye on this thrilling series, knowing full well that these games could shape the destiny of their postseason dreams. The uniquely intertwined narratives, historical grudges, and stellar performances set the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable chapter in MLB history.