This week marks a pivotal moment in the 2024 MLB regular season as the Atlanta Braves prepare to host the New York Mets for a decisive three-game series at Truist Park. Both teams are embroiled in a high-stakes battle with a potential postseason spot on the line. Adding a layer of complexity and urgency to the series, a hurricane looms over the region, threatening to disrupt proceedings.
The situation has reached a boiling point: the National League wild-card race has narrowed to a four-team contest for three coveted spots. The teams trailing the Braves in the standings have already been eliminated, making this series even more critical. History adds a layer of intensity—two years ago, the Braves swept the Mets in the penultimate series of the regular season, causing the Mets to relinquish their hold on the first place in the NL East.
The showdown kicks off Tuesday, September 24, at 7:20 p.m. ET, featuring a duel between right-handers Luis Severino of the Mets and Spencer Schwellenbach of the Braves. The following two games will showcase matchups of seasoned left-handers: David Peterson versus Chris Sale on Wednesday, and Sean Manaea facing Max Fried on Thursday.
The Mets have made strategic adjustments to their rotation, taking advantage of Monday's off-day to push Jose Quintana’s start to Friday. Meanwhile, rookie Luisangel Acuña has been stellar at shortstop, hitting .409 with two doubles, a triple, and three home runs since stepping in for the injured Francisco Lindor. The veteran Jose Iglesias has also risen to the occasion, batting .467 since assuming the leadoff spot and second base duties due to Jeff McNeil’s wrist injury.
Francisco Lindor remains optimistic about returning this season, despite the likelihood of playing through pain. His return could prove to be a game-changer for the Mets as they vie for a postseason berth. JD Martinez and Mark Vientos, however, have struggled this month, adding further pressure on the team's lineup to perform.
Marcell Ozuna has been a bright spot for the Braves, slashing .329/.417/.425 in September. Ramón Laureano and Whit Merrifield have also made significant contributions to the team's offense this month. Despite their efforts, even a series sweep of the Mets won't automatically clinch a wild-card spot for the Braves, particularly if the Arizona Diamondbacks lose their games against the San Francisco Giants. A two-game win for the Mets in this series will secure their postseason spot, but the Braves could still surpass Arizona depending on the outcomes of the final games of the season.
The Mets will head to Milwaukee to face the Brewers after this series. With the Brewers having already clinched the NL Central, they now aim to secure a Wild Card Series bye, adding another layer of intrigue to the Mets' final stretch. The Braves, on the other hand, will remain home for a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals, who are also thick in the wild-card race. Game 162 could very well be a win-or-go-home situation for both the Braves and Royals, making this final stretch of the season one of the most thrilling in recent memory.
As Sean Murphy succinctly put it, “You knew it a couple weeks ago, right? That series is probably gonna help decide this thing.”