Atlanta Braves Take Crucial Series Opener Against New York Mets Amid Weather Concerns
The Atlanta Braves and New York Mets embarked on a pivotal three-game series on Tuesday night, with both teams vying for crucial postseason berths. The Mets entered the series holding a marginal half-game lead on a wild-card spot, while the Braves were just a half-game behind, intensifying the stakes for both clubs.
The Braves made an assertive statement by winning the first game of the series, adding pressure on the Mets who need to secure two more victories to clinch their spot in the postseason. Despite this early blip, the Braves face the reality that even a perfect series sweep won’t guarantee them a postseason berth just yet.
As the teams clash on the field, external forces threaten to disrupt the series. Hurricane Helene was upgraded to a Category 3 storm in the National Hurricane Center's Wednesday morning update and is expected to make landfall in Florida by Thursday. The storm's impact is projected to reach as far north as Atlanta, bringing heavy rain starting at 1 p.m. Wednesday and potentially lasting through Friday. Forecasters have also warned of possible thunderstorms and tornadoes, adding yet another layer of pressure on the league’s scheduling decisions.
To date, the league had not announced any changes to the series timetable, with Thursday's game still scheduled for a 7:20 p.m. ET start as of Tuesday evening. However, MLB is weighing various options, including moving Thursday's game to earlier in the day, potentially to 1 p.m. ET or even 12 p.m. ET, in hopes of avoiding the brunt of the storm. Given Monday’s off-day, scheduling a doubleheader on Wednesday is another plausible solution, allowing the rest of the series to proceed as planned.
Moving the series entirely has not been ruled out either. Major League Baseball has precedent for such decisions, with past instances like the Astros vs. Cubs series in 2008, which was moved to Milwaukee’s Miller Park due to Hurricane Ike. Similarly, Hurricane Harvey prompted the relocation of the Rangers vs. Astros series to Tampa’s Tropicana Field in 2017. Presently, Globe Life Field in Arlington is being contemplated as a potential alternate site should relocation for the Braves and Mets be necessary.
If Thursday’s game is postponed to Monday, it would coincide with the off-day between the conclusion of the regular season and the start of the Wild Card series. Such an adjustment would only be considered if the game significantly impacts postseason qualification. In such a scenario, the teams might face playing a 161-game season instead of the usual 162, emphasizing the challenges weather poses to the sports calendar.
Though rescheduling the game post-regular season or moving it to a neutral site is seen as complex and a last resort, the simplest approach remains either advancing Thursday's game or scheduling a Wednesday doubleheader. The Braves benefit from not having immediate travel obligations post-series, while the Mets' schedule risks more severe disruptions.
MLB officials are vigilantly monitoring Hurricane Helene's path, balancing the integrity of the season with the safety and logistics for all involved. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza expressed the uncertainty surrounding the potential impacts, noting as of Tuesday evening, "he had not received any word from MLB."
Meanwhile, the anticipation continues to build on and off the field. As the Braves and Mets contend with the implications of each game, they must also remain adaptable to weather-induced changes, reflecting a season where every pitch, every game, and every decision carries heightened significance.