High-Stakes Series Begins Under Storm Clouds
The Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets have kicked off a crucial three-game series that could determine postseason futures for both teams. The Mets, clinging to a half-game lead on a wild-card spot, face a significant challenge from their rivals, who are trailing by just half a game. The Braves drew first blood by securing a win on Tuesday night.
The stakes for the Mets are crystal clear: they need to win two out of the next three games to ensure their postseason berth. The Braves, while close, cannot confirm their spot in the playoffs solely through this series. The tension on the field is palpable, but an external force looms that could disrupt this pivotal matchup: Hurricane Helene.
Upgraded to a hurricane in the National Hurricane Center's 11 a.m. Wednesday update, Hurricane Helene is on a direct path to make landfall in Florida on Thursday as a fierce Category 3 storm. The impending weather threatens to significantly impact the series held in Atlanta, where heavy rain is forecasted to begin by 1 p.m. Wednesday and persist through Friday. Thunderstorms and tornadoes are also possible, adding further complications.
As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, MLB had not made any adjustments to the series schedule. Thursday's game remains slated for a 7:20 p.m. ET start. However, there is growing speculation that MLB could choose to move Thursday’s game to an earlier time slot to avoid the brunt of the storm, with potential new start times mentioned at 1 p.m. ET or 12 p.m. ET.
Another possible option discussed is the scheduling of a doubleheader on Wednesday, leveraging Monday’s off-day to accommodate the change. Historically, MLB is not averse to relocating entire series due to severe weather, as demonstrated by past relocations such as 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 after Hurricane Harvey.
Should relocation become necessary, Globe Life Field in Arlington is seen as a viable alternative site for the Braves and Mets. Yet, rescheduling the game post-regular season remains a complex and less preferred last resort, likely considered only if the game bears significant weight in determining postseason qualification.
In a situation where the game holds critical implications and cannot be played before the end of the regular season, scheduling it on Monday, an off-day between the end of the regular season and the start of the Wild Card Series, might be an option. This would ensure that both teams could potentially end up playing a 161-game season instead of the standard 162 if the game is not rescheduled.
From a logistical standpoint, moving Thursday’s game up to earlier in the day or scheduling a doubleheader on Wednesday are the simplest and most efficient scenarios. The Braves benefit from not having to travel immediately after this series, but the Mets could face disruptions to their schedule moving forward.
Both teams and their fans are waiting anxiously as MLB officials closely monitor Hurricane Helene’s path. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza mentioned he had not received any word from MLB as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, leaving both teams in a state of uncertainty.
As Hurricane Helene approaches, the National Hurricane Center has warned of a “life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and flooding rains to a large portion of Florida and the southeastern United States.” This statement underscores the gravity of the threat both in terms of public safety and the disruption it could cause to this critical series.
In summary, the prevailing uncertainty casts a shadow over what promises to be a high-stakes showdown between the Braves and Mets. The outcome of this series could potentially be as unpredictable as the weather, leaving fans and players alike to brace for an intense few days both on and off the field.