Major League Baseball's (MLB) decision to postpone two crucial matchups between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets has triggered discussions among fans, players, and analysts alike. The games were slated for Wednesday and Thursday but have been rescheduled due to Hurricane Helene's impending approach toward the Atlanta area, a move aimed at ensuring the safety of everyone involved.
Impact on the Standings
This postponement couldn't come at a more critical time for both teams. The Mets, holding an 87-70 record, have secured the National League's No. 5 seed amid a fiercely competitive postseason race. Meanwhile, the Braves are just a half-game behind Arizona for the final NL wild-card spot. These games carry the weight of deciding postseason fates, elevating the stakes for any future rescheduled encounters.
The postponed games are set to be played as a doubleheader on Monday, but only if they have playoff implications. Given the current standings, this scenario seems likely. "The games will only be played if there are postseason implications, but that seems likely as things stand," noted an unnamed source.
Logistical Challenges
The necessity of rescheduling the games has posed logistical challenges for both teams, especially with their tight schedules. The Mets are expected to travel to Milwaukee for a three-game series against the Brewers over the weekend, while the Braves are scheduled to face the Kansas City Royals at home. The rearrangement will require the Mets to return to Atlanta for the Monday doubleheader, adding to the travel burden.
Fan Attendance and Revenue
According to reports, the Braves were resistant to rescheduling the games. The New York Post indicated that the team "balked at moving any games this series because they were expecting large crowds at Truist Park." Another insider added, "Background conversations with involved personnel indicated that basically the Braves were expecting large attendance for the three games and did not want to forego the gates nor work through the logistics of moving personnel such as security, concessionaires, etc., to other dates or start times."
Indeed, Truist Park hosted an impressive crowd of 40,103 fans for Tuesday's series opener, which Atlanta won 5-1. The high fan turnout not only signifies robust local support but also represents significant revenue opportunities. Missing out on this revenue while incurring the costs associated with rescheduling could be a financial setback for the Braves.
MLB’s Decision-Making
While some point fingers at the Braves' reluctance, the ultimate decision rested with MLB. "Ultimately, the blame for any weather issues during these important games Wednesday and Thursday falls on MLB. The league has the final say," stated sources familiar with the decision-making process. MLB's call aims to prioritize safety, but it also underscores the complex balance between competitive fairness, financial interests, and logistical feasibility.
As the weather system advances, the focus will now shift to preparing for the revised schedules and managing the impact on the players. The teams must navigate these disruptions and maintain their competitive edge as the postseason looms large on the horizon. Both the Braves and the Mets have much at stake, and how they manage these changes could define their success in the weeks to come.