The Atlanta Braves and New York Mets have embarked on a crucial three-game series that kicked off on Tuesday night, in a battle that could significantly influence their postseason aspirations. The Mets currently hold a razor-thin lead of half a game over the Braves for a wild-card spot.
In a critical opening match, the Braves secured the first win of the series, tightening the gap as they trail the Mets by just half a game. For the Mets, the stakes are clear: they can clinch a postseason berth by winning two of the remaining three games in this pivotal series. Meanwhile, the Braves have their eyes set on prolonging the fight beyond these three games, as they can't secure their postseason ticket solely on this series outcome.
Weather Woes and Possible Adjustments
Complicating matters further, Hurricane Helene has been upgraded to a hurricane in the National Hurricane Center's latest update as of 11 a.m. Wednesday. The hurricane is projected to strike Florida as a Category 3 storm on Thursday, bringing considerable disruptions along its path.
Atlanta is expected to experience the storm's adverse effects, starting with heavy rain from 1 p.m. Wednesday, continuing through Friday. Forecasters also hint at possible thunderstorms and tornadoes in the region during this period, intensifying the challenges for both teams and the league.
Despite these looming threats, as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, the MLB had yet to announce any adjustments to the series schedule. Thursday's game remains set for a 7:20 p.m. ET start, but given the volatile weather, the league is considering moving the game to an earlier time slot—possibly 1 p.m. ET or 12 p.m. ET—to dodge the worst of the storm.
Possible Scenarios
One of the potential solutions being evaluated is scheduling a doubleheader on Wednesday, exploiting Monday's off-day to complete the series ahead of the severe weather. Historically, entire series have been relocated due to severe weather conditions. Notable instances include the 2008 Astros vs. Cubs series, which was moved to Milwaukee’s Miller Park because of Hurricane Ike, and the 2017 Rangers vs. Astros series, relocated to Tampa’s Tropicana Field in response to Hurricane Harvey.
Globe Life Field in Arlington is emerging as a possible alternate site for this series, should relocation become necessary. However, this option is logistically complex and might be considered only as a last resort.
If rescheduling to Monday is chosen, it would occur on the off-day between the end of the regular season and the start of the Wild Card Series. This would only happen if the game holds significant weight in determining postseason qualifications. In the event of such disruption, both teams might end up playing a 161-game season instead of the standard 162.
At this juncture, the simplest and most efficient alternatives remain moving Thursday’s game to earlier in the day or arranging a doubleheader on Wednesday. The Braves are somewhat insulated from immediate travel hassles post-series, but the Mets face a potentially tight and disruptive travel schedule thereafter.
MLB’s Vigilant Watch
MLB officials are closely monitoring Hurricane Helene’s trajectory to ensure the safety of all involved while maintaining the integrity of the postseason race. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza expressed concern but noted that he had not received any word from the MLB as of 5 p.m. Tuesday. With the possible threats, the league’s decisions in the upcoming hours and days will be critical.
The National Hurricane Center's alarming forecast of "life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and flooding rains to a large portion of Florida and the southeastern United States" underscores the urgency and complexity of the situation. As the weather narrative unfolds parallel to the baseball drama, the league, teams, and fans will be keenly watching each play, both on the field and from the atmospheric front, in this unpredictable double-header of sports and nature.
While the Braves and the Mets battle it out on the diamond, Mother Nature adds an unpredictable twist to their postseason chase. The coming days promise high-stakes drama, whichever way the wind blows.