Tuesday night marked the beginning of a pivotal three-game series between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets. As both teams vie for postseason positions, the stakes are high, and every game counts. Currently, the Mets hold a precarious half-game lead over the Braves for a wild-card spot, making this series crucial for both teams.
The Braves managed to triumph in the first game of the series, narrowing the gap to just half a game behind the Mets. Despite the importance of this series, it appears the Braves will need more than just these matchups to secure their spot in the postseason. For the Mets, however, the path is more straightforward: winning two out of the next three games will clinch their postseason berth.
Weather Complications Loom
Adding an extra layer of complexity to the series is the looming threat of Hurricane Helene. Upgraded to hurricane status in the National Hurricane Center's 11 a.m. Wednesday update, Helene is expected to make landfall in Florida on Thursday as a Category 3 storm. The impact of the hurricane is not limited to Florida; heavy rain is forecasted to hit Atlanta by 1 p.m. Wednesday and is likely to continue through Friday.
Rain isn't the only concern. The weather forecast includes severe thunderstorms and the potential for tornadoes in the Atlanta area from Wednesday through Friday. Despite these adverse weather conditions, as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, the league had not announced any changes to the series schedule. Thursday's game remains slated for a 7:20 p.m. ET start.
MLB's Response and Possible Adjustments
MLB officials are actively monitoring Hurricane Helene's path and considering various options to mitigate its impact on the games. One potential solution is to move Thursday's game to an earlier time slot, possibly 1 p.m. ET or 12 p.m. ET, to avoid the worst of the storm. Another option on the table is scheduling a doubleheader on Wednesday, made feasible by Monday's off-day.
Postponing the game to Monday is another consideration, although this would fall on the off-day between the end of the regular season and the start of the Wild Card Series. Such a move would only be made if the game's outcome is crucial for determining postseason eligibility. This measure could result in both teams playing a 161-game season instead of the customary 162 if the game isn't rescheduled.
A more complex contingency plan involves relocating the series to a neutral site. Historical precedents include the Astros vs. Cubs series in 2008, 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. Should relocation become necessary, Globe Life Field in Arlington is being considered as a potential alternate site.
The Met's Manager Weighs In
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza noted his team is still in the dark about any schedule changes, stating he had not received any word from MLB as of 5 p.m. Tuesday. Undoubtedly, last-minute adjustments could disrupt team preparations and travel plans, especially since the Mets cannot afford any disruptions to their current schedule.
High Stakes and High Alerts
The urgency and significance of the games cannot be overstated. With "life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and flooding rains" predicted to affect "a large portion of Florida and the southeastern United States," according to the National Hurricane Center, both teams face a potentially chaotic end to the regular season.
The Braves, for their part, benefit from not having to travel immediately following this series, whereas the Mets' schedule might face considerable disruptions. The simplest and most effective options remain either advancing Thursday’s game to earlier in the day or scheduling a doubleheader on Wednesday. Both teams are on high alert, knowing that the path to the postseason could be influenced as much by Mother Nature as by their performance on the field.
As MLB officials continue to monitor Hurricane Helene closely, the baseball community waits with bated breath for decisions that could impact not just this series, but the postseason landscape as a whole.