This week features a pivotal showdown in the 2024 MLB regular season as the Atlanta Braves host the New York Mets for a three-game series that promises to be decisive. Truist Park will be the stage, and one postseason spot hangs in the balance.
Both teams have everything to fight for, as it has come down to a four-team struggle for three coveted spots. The situation is even more intense, given that all other National League teams behind Atlanta have been knocked out of the wild-card race.
Two years ago, the Braves swept the Mets in the penultimate series of the regular season, costing the Mets their hold on first place in the NL East. It’s safe to say the Mets haven't forgotten that series and will be looking for redemption.
Matchups Set
The first game of the series starts on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 7:20 p.m. ET, featuring a duel between right-handers Luis Severino of the Mets and Spencer Schwellenbach of the Braves. Expect fireworks as both pitchers vie for control from the first pitch.
Wednesday will see a clash of accomplished left-handers, with David Peterson set to face off against Chris Sale. The series finale on Thursday has Sean Manaea going against Max Fried. These marquee matchups will no doubt keep fans on the edge of their seats.
The Mets have wisely adjusted their rotation, using Monday's off-day to push Jose Quintana’s start back to Friday, ensuring they are more strategically aligned for this critical series.
Star Performers
The Braves have seen standout performances from rookie Luisangel Acuña, who has been phenomenal at shortstop since stepping in for Francisco Lindor. Acuña is hitting an impressive .409 with two doubles, a triple, and three home runs. Meanwhile, veteran Jose Iglesias has been a revelation in the leadoff spot and at second base, batting .467 after stepping in for the injured Jeff McNeil.
Lindor, who has been sidelined, remains hopeful about his return. "I’m optimistic I will play again this season," he said, but he acknowledged that it's unlikely to be pain-free.
For the Braves, Marcell Ozuna has been a model of consistency, slashing .329/.417/.425 in September. Contributions from Ramón Laureano and Whit Merrifield have also bolstered the team's lineup during this crucial stretch.
On the other hand, JD Martinez and Mark Vientos have struggled for the Mets this month, an area of concern as they head into the final games of the season.
Implications of the Series
Even if the Braves sweep the Mets, it won’t necessarily punch their ticket to the postseason, especially if the Arizona Diamondbacks falter in their games against the San Francisco Giants. Conversely, if the Mets manage to win two games, they secure their postseason spot. The Braves, however, are not out of the running entirely if they lose two; they could still surpass Arizona based on the outcomes of the final games.
The aftermath of this series will see the Mets fly to Milwaukee to take on the Brewers, who have already clinched the NL Central and are looking to secure a Wild Card Series bye. Meanwhile, the Braves will stay home to face the Kansas City Royals, who are also in the thick of the wild-card race.
Given the stakes, the final game of the season could very well turn into a win-or-go-home scenario for both the Braves and the Royals, adding another layer of excitement to an already thrilling season.
“You knew it a couple weeks ago, right? That series is probably gonna help decide this thing,” said Sean Murphy, succinctly summing up the weight of the upcoming games.
A potential hurricane bearing down on the region could add another unexpected twist, but for now, all eyes are on this high-stakes series that will significantly shape the postseason landscape. The tension is palpable, and the coming days promise electrifying baseball action that fans will be talking about for a long time to come.