As the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets began a pivotal three-game series on Tuesday night, all eyes were on Truist Park and the looming Hurricane Helene. The Mets, clinging to a half-game lead on a wildcard spot, faced the Braves, who were trailing just half a game behind. Tuesday's opener saw the Braves secure a crucial win, intensifying the stakes for the remainder of the series.
The Wild Card Battle
The tension is palpable as both teams vie for postseason chances. The Mets can clinch a postseason berth by claiming victory in two of the three games, while the Braves, despite their strong position, cannot secure their postseason spot within this series alone. Every pitch, swing, and catch in the remaining games could define the trajectory for both teams as they aim for October.
Weather Threat Looms
Adding to the already high stakes is Hurricane Helene, upgraded to hurricane status in the National Hurricane Center's 11 a.m. Wednesday update. The storm is anticipated to make landfall in Florida on Thursday as a Category 3 storm. The National Hurricane Center warns of "life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and flooding rains to a large portion of Florida and the southeastern United States."
Heavy rain is forecasted to drench Atlanta by 1 p.m. Wednesday, persisting through Friday, with potential thunderstorms and tornadoes further complicating the scene. As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, however, the league had not announced any changes to the series schedule.
Possible Adjustments
Thursday's game is currently slated for a 7:20 p.m. ET start, but the MLB might move it to an earlier time—either 1 p.m. ET or 12 p.m. ET—to avoid the brunt of the storm. Another option on the table is a doubleheader on Wednesday, thanks to Monday's off-day, providing some logistical flexibility.
The history of MLB adjusting for severe weather supports relocation options. In 2008, the Astros vs. Cubs series was moved to Milwaukee's Miller Park due to Hurricane Ike, and in 2017, the Rangers vs. Astros series was relocated to Tampa's Tropicana Field in response to Hurricane Harvey. For the Braves and Mets, should relocation become necessary, an alternate site such as Globe Life Field in Arlington emerges as a viable option.
In the scenario where postponing the game to Monday is considered, it would align with the off-day between the end of the regular season and the start of the Wild Card Series. This would only be pursued if the game's outcome is critical in determining postseason qualification. Otherwise, both teams might end up with a 161-game season instead of the standard 162, should the game not be rescheduled.
Decisions Await
Moving the game to a neutral site or postponing it post-regular season is regarded as a last resort due to its complexity. The most straightforward solutions are either to advance Thursday’s game to an earlier timeframe or to slot in a doubleheader on Wednesday. With the Braves not forced to travel immediately post-series, and the Mets facing a disrupted schedule thereafter, MLB officials are closely monitoring Hurricane Helene's path to make an informed decision.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza expressed the uncertainty surrounding the situation, noting he had not received any word from MLB as of 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Ultimately, the priority remains the safety and well-being of the teams and fans, balanced with the integrity of the postseason race. With the storm advancing and games hanging in the balance, baseball fans everywhere are bracing for a storm both on and off the field. The coming days promise intense action, calculated decisions, and, hopefully, the safe passage of all involved.