This week promises high drama in Major League Baseball as the Atlanta Braves host the New York Mets at Truist Park in what is undoubtedly the defining three-game series of the 2024 regular season.
The stakes couldn't be higher, with both teams vying for a crucial postseason berth. As the Braves and Mets lock horns, a shadow looms large — not just from the impending hurricane threatening the region, but from the postseason implications of these games. Remarkably, all other National League teams trailing behind Atlanta have been eliminated from the wild-card race, heightening the urgency of this matchup.
The competition has whittled down to a tight four-team race for three postseason spots. History lends this series additional gravitas; two years ago, the Braves swept the Mets in the penultimate series of the regular season, causing the Mets to lose their hold on the first place in the NL East. This historical context only intensifies the drama.
The series opens on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at 7:20 p.m. ET, as right-handers Luis Severino of the Mets and Spencer Schwellenbach of the Braves take the mound. Following this duel, accomplished left-handers will dominate the next two games: David Peterson faces off against Chris Sale on Wednesday, with Sean Manaea challenging Max Fried on Thursday. The Mets have strategically used Monday's off-day to push Jose Quintana's start to Friday, giving them every edge they can muster in this decisive series.
Mets’ Adjustments and Standout Performances
Rookie sensation Luisangel Acuña has been a revelation for the Mets, filling in for Francisco Lindor. Acuña has dazzled, hitting .409 with two doubles, a triple, and three home runs. Also stepping up in the absence of key players, veteran Jose Iglesias has been exceptional in the leadoff spot and taking over second base duties from the injured Jeff McNeil, boasting a batting average of .467.
Francisco Lindor remains hopeful he will play again this season, although he acknowledges it may be without full recovery. “You knew it a couple weeks ago, right? That series is probably gonna help decide this thing,” noted Sean Murphy, encapsulating the heightened emotions surrounding this series.
The Braves also boast September standouts. Marcell Ozuna has been impressive, slashing .329/.417/.425. Complementing him, Ramón Laureano and Whit Merrifield have bolstered Atlanta's lineup this month. Conversely, JD Martinez and Mark Vientos have struggled to find their rhythm in September, a factor worth noting as every at-bat could be pivotal.
Playoff Implications and Upcoming Challenges
Even a series sweep by the Braves won't guarantee their wild-card spot, especially if the Arizona Diamondbacks falter against the San Francisco Giants. Should the Mets win two games in this series, their postseason berth is assured. The Braves, however, would still have a shot at surpassing Arizona depending on the outcomes of the remaining games.
As the series concludes, the Mets will head to Milwaukee for a rendezvous with the Brewers, who have already clinched the NL Central and are now gunning for a Wild Card Series bye. The Braves, meanwhile, will continue their quest at home against the Kansas City Royals, another team embroiled in a fierce wild-card race.
It’s not out of the realm of possibility that Game 162 may decide the fate of both the Braves and Royals, making it a potential win-or-go-home scenario.
The combination of postseason pressure, standout individual performances, and a looming hurricane makes for an explosive mix. In an environment where every game counts, the Braves and Mets have no margin for error. The fans are braced for a rollercoaster of emotions with everything on the line. The stage is set, and as the old saying goes, “This is why you play the game.”