The Atlanta Braves and New York Mets commenced a pivotal three-game series on Tuesday night, intensifying the playoff race. Currently, the Mets hold a slender half-game lead for a wild-card spot, with the Braves breathing down their necks, just half a game behind. The series began with the Braves securing an important victory.
As the series progresses, the stakes are high for both teams. The Mets can clinch a postseason berth by winning two of the next three games, while the Braves can't secure their postseason spot solely through this series. However, their performance against the Mets could significantly influence their playoff trajectory.
Threat of Hurricane Helene
While the on-field battle rages, an off-field element looms large: Hurricane Helene. Upgraded to a hurricane in the National Hurricane Center's 11 a.m. Wednesday update, Helene is anticipated to make landfall in Florida on Thursday as a formidable 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."
In Atlanta, heavy rain is forecasted to start by 1 p.m. Wednesday and continue through Friday, posing a potential disruption to the series. Thunderstorms and tornadoes are also possible during this period. Despite this, as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, the league had not announced any changes to the series schedule.
Potential Schedule Adjustments
Thursday's game remains set for a 7:20 p.m. ET start. Still, MLB is considering moving the game to an earlier time slot, such as 1 p.m. ET or 12 p.m. ET, to avoid the worst of the storm. Another option includes playing a doubleheader on Wednesday, capitalizing on the off-day both teams had on Monday. This would mitigate any scheduling conflicts caused by the impending hurricane.
Historically, MLB has relocated entire series due to severe weather. Notable examples include the Astros vs. Cubs series in 2008, which was moved to Milwaukee's Miller Park due to Hurricane Ike, and the Rangers vs. Astros series in 2017, relocated to Tampa's Tropicana Field in response to Hurricane Harvey. Globe Life Field in Arlington is a potential alternative site if relocation becomes necessary for the Braves and Mets.
Considering All Options
If the game were to be 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 adjustment would only manifest if the game has significant implications for postseason qualification. Given the tight scheduling and playoff ramifications, both teams might end up playing a 161-game season instead of the standard 162 if the game remains unscheduled.
Moving the game to a neutral site or delaying it until after the regular season are considered complex last resorts. The simplest and most efficient solutions appear to be either rescheduling Thursday's game to an earlier time or arranging a doubleheader on Wednesday. For the Braves, these options are feasible because they do not have to travel immediately after this series. However, the Mets face a potentially disruptive schedule adjustment.
Eyes on the Storm
As MLB officials closely monitor Hurricane Helene's path, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza acknowledged that no official word had been received from MLB as of late Tuesday. With the potential for severe weather and a critical series at hand, both teams and fans alike remain vigilant as the situation evolves.
Baseball often mirrors the unpredictability of life, and this week, the Braves and Mets find themselves navigating not just a competitive series but also the formidable forces of nature. The outcome of this series and the impact of Hurricane Helene will undoubtedly shape the closing days of the regular season and the impending playoffs.