The Tuesday night opener between the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets marked the beginning of a crucial three-game series with significant postseason implications. As the series commenced, the Mets clung to a tenuous half-game lead in the wild-card standings, with the Braves trailing closely behind.
Tuesday's contest saw the Braves secure a vital win, tightening the gap between the two teams. This victory places additional pressure on the Mets, who need to win two out of the next three games to clinch a postseason berth. While the Braves cannot secure their playoff spot with just this series, they have a clear opportunity to disrupt the Mets' postseason aspirations.
Weather Concerns Loom Large
However, the series faces a significant obstacle in the form of Hurricane Helene. Upgraded to hurricane status in the National Hurricane Center's 11 a.m. Wednesday update, Helene is forecasted to make landfall in Florida on Thursday as a Category 3 storm. The storm threatens to bring 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 predicted to begin by 1 p.m. Wednesday and continue through Friday, with potential thunderstorms and tornadoes adding to the perilous conditions. As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, MLB had yet to make any adjustments to the series schedule. Thursday's game is slated for a 7:20 p.m. ET start, but MLB is contemplating options to avoid the storm's worst impacts.
Potential Schedule Adjustments
One potential adjustment could see Thursday’s game moved to an earlier slot, such as 1 p.m. ET or 12 p.m. ET. Alternatively, a doubleheader on Wednesday is on the table, taking advantage of Monday's off-day to accommodate the compressed schedule. "Life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and flooding rains to a large portion of Florida and the southeastern United States," warns the National Hurricane Center, emphasizing the urgency of a decision.
Historically, MLB has not hesitated to relocate entire series in the face of severe weather. Examples include the 2008 Astros vs. Cubs series, which was moved to Milwaukee's Miller Park due to Hurricane Ike, and the 2017 Rangers vs. Astros series relocated to Tampa's Tropicana Field in response to Hurricane Harvey. Should relocation become necessary for the Braves and Mets series, Globe Life Field in Arlington is a potential alternate site under consideration.
Postseason Implications
If postponement to Monday is required, it would fall on the off-day between the end of the regular season and the start of the Wild Card Series. This maneuver would only proceed if the game significantly influences postseason qualification. There is also the possibility that both teams might conclude the season with a 161-game schedule instead of the standard 162 if the game remains unscheduled.
Moving the game to a neutral site or rescheduling it post-regular season is considered a complex last resort. The simplest and most efficient solutions are to either advance Thursday's game to earlier in the day or organize a doubleheader on Wednesday.
Logistical Considerations
The Braves have the relative advantage of not needing to travel immediately after this series, whereas the Mets face a potentially disruptive schedule post-series. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed, "I have not received any word from MLB as of 5 p.m. Tuesday," highlighting the uncertainty hanging over the series.
MLB officials continue to monitor Hurricane Helene’s path closely, weighing their options to ensure the safety of players, staff, and fans, while also considering the importance of the games in the context of the postseason race. How MLB navigates these treacherous waters remains to be seen, but the decisions made in the coming hours and days will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the conclusion of the regular season and the chase for the playoffs.