Major League Baseball has announced the postponement of two pivotal games between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets, originally scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. This decision was made in anticipation of Hurricane Helene affecting the Atlanta area. As a result, these games will now be played as a doubleheader on Monday, but only if they have postseason implications.
The Mets currently hold an 87-70 record, securing the National League’s No. 5 seed. Meanwhile, the Braves are lagging just a half-game behind Arizona for the final NL wild-card spot, making these games crucial for their postseason aspirations.
Impact on the Teams' Schedules
This change in the schedule means the Mets, who are set to play a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers this weekend, will have to travel back to Atlanta for the doubleheader on Monday if those games matter in the standings. On the other hand, the Braves will be preparing to host the Kansas City Royals at home this weekend. Truist Park, which hosted 40,103 fans for Tuesday’s series opener where Atlanta defeated New York 5-1, is expected to see large crowds again.
There were reservations from the Braves regarding the rescheduling of these games. According to the New York Post, "The Braves balked at moving any games this series because they were expecting large crowds at Truist Park." This sentiment was echoed in background conversations with involved personnel, who indicated that the Braves "did not want to forego the gates nor work through the logistics of moving personnel such as security, concessionaires, etc., to other dates or start times."
Logistical Challenges and MLB’s Final Say
The logistical hurdles that come with rescheduling games, especially at such a critical juncture in the season, cannot be understated. The Braves' unwillingness to alter the schedule was largely motivated by the expected large attendance for the three-game home series, making the rescheduling a complex affair. Ultimately, however, the league holds the final authority in these matters, and the decision to postpone was made with the players' safety and the fans in mind.
"Ultimately, the blame for any weather issues during these important games Wednesday and Thursday falls on MLB. The league has the final say," sources said. Given the precarious state of the standings, the potential for Monday's doubleheader to influence the postseason race remains significant.
Postseason Implications
If the games do carry postseason weight, the rearrangement could turn out to be favorable or onerous, depending on the outcomes of the weekend series for both teams. For the Mets, who are already assured a spot in the postseason, the doubleheader presents an additional challenge as they have to squeeze in crucial games before the playoffs begin. For the Braves, any extra opportunity to clench the wild-card spot could be invaluable.
As matters stand, weather has played a decisive role in altering the immediate future of both teams. With Hurricane Helene approaching, safety had to take precedence, even in the high-stakes environment of Major League Baseball. The potential for these postponed games to bear significant postseason implications keeps fans on edge, awaiting to see how the final stretch of the season unfolds.
In the days ahead, both teams will focus on their upcoming series while keeping an eye on the weather and the standings. As the weekend unfolds, decisions will be made that could have lasting impacts on their postseason journeys, with hopes high and stakes even higher.