Atlanta Braves Edge New York Mets in Critical Series Opener as Hurricane Helene Looms
The Atlanta Braves and New York Mets kicked off a pivotal three-game series on Tuesday night, with postseason aspirations hanging in the balance for both teams. The Mets, holding a precarious half-game lead on a wild-card spot, were looking to solidify their postseason berth. Meanwhile, the Braves, trailing just half a game behind, were determined to close the gap. Tuesday's opener saw the Braves draw first blood, securing a crucial win and tightening the race even further.
For the Mets, the importance of this series cannot be overstated. By winning two out of the next three games, they can clinch a spot in the postseason. While the Braves can't secure their own postseason position solely through this series, each victory brings them one step closer to their goal.
However, the series is playing out under a shadow of uncertainty. Hurricane Helene, upgraded to hurricane status in the National Hurricane Center's 11 a.m. Wednesday update, is expected to make landfall in Florida on Thursday as a Category 3 storm. The forecast predicts heavy rain beginning in Atlanta by 1 p.m. Wednesday, lasting through Friday, with potential thunderstorms and tornadoes adding to the chaos.
Weather and Scheduling Concerns
As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, league officials had not announced any changes to the series schedule. Currently, Thursday's game remains set for a 7:20 p.m. ET start. However, MLB might consider moving the game to an earlier time slot, such as 1 p.m. ET or 12 p.m. ET, to avoid the worst of the storm. Another option on the table is scheduling a doubleheader on Wednesday, taking advantage of Monday’s off-day.
"Life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and flooding rains to a large portion of Florida and the southeastern United States," warned the National Hurricane Center, underlining the severity of the incoming storm.
The prospect of rescheduling games due to severe weather is not unprecedented in MLB history. Past examples include 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 in response to Hurricane Harvey. Globe Life Field in Arlington now stands out as a potential alternate site, should relocation become necessary for the Braves and Mets. Yet, this remains a complex last resort.
Strategic Complications
Postponing the game to Monday is another possibility, placing it on the off-day between the end of the regular season and the start of the Wild Card Series. This contingency would only be enacted if the game’s outcome holds significant weight in determining postseason qualifications. Should the teams inevitably forgo this option, it might result in a 161-game season instead of the standard 162.
The simplest and most efficient options being considered are either to move Thursday's game up to an earlier hour or to slate a doubleheader on Wednesday. Given that the Braves do not have immediate travel commitments after this series, this could minimize disruptions for them. However, such adjustments could pose significant scheduling challenges for the Mets, who face a potentially disruptive timetable after this series.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza remarked, "We had not received any word from MLB as of 5 p.m. Tuesday," emphasizing the uncertainty surrounding the schedule.
Amidst the intense on-field rivalry, MLB officials are keeping a close watch on Hurricane Helene's trajectory, aiming to balance player safety with the integrity of the season’s climax. Regardless of these external pressures, both teams are firmly focused on the series at hand, understanding that every game is critical on the road to October glory.