As of Wednesday afternoon, the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets find themselves in a state of uncertainty, anxiously awaiting the fate of their pivotal three-game series at Truist Park. The lingering threat of Hurricane Helene, which promises heavy rain and strong winds, looms over the region, putting both Wednesday and Thursday’s games in jeopardy.
Despite the grave weather concerns, Major League Baseball (MLB) has yet to announce any alterations to the schedule. Historically, the league has shifted games to neutral venues under similar circumstances; however, no such decision has been made for this series. The possibility of rescheduling Thursday's game to Monday—an off-day for both teams—or organizing a doubleheader has also been ruled out.
Attendance Concerns
On Tuesday night, 40,103 fans poured into Truist Park for the series opener, demonstrating the significant draw of these high-stakes games. The Braves managed to thrill the home crowd with a 5-1 victory, underscoring the intense rivalry and competitive spirit between the two teams.
A source noted, "Basically the Braves were expecting large attendance for the three games (it was 40,103 at Truist Park for Tuesday's series opener, won 5-1 by Atlanta) 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." The economic and logistical considerations seem to have played a substantial role in the decision to stick with the current schedule.
Potential Doubleheader
If the weather worsens and forces cancellations, the Braves and Mets could potentially face a doubleheader next Monday. This day is the designated off-day between the conclusion of the regular season and the start of the Wild Card Series. For the Mets, such a scenario would entail a grueling travel schedule—potentially journeying from Atlanta to Milwaukee and back to Atlanta, before potentially heading to the west coast, all within a single week.
Implications for the Standings
The stakes in this series are particularly high given the current standings. The Atlanta Braves are trailing the Arizona Diamondbacks by a mere half-game for the third wild-card spot, while the New York Mets hold a half-game lead over Arizona and a one-game advantage over Atlanta. Thus, any cancellations and the resultant reshuffling of games could significantly impact the playoff landscape.
Adding another layer of complexity, the Braves are also slated to host the Kansas City Royals this coming weekend. The compact and potentially disruptive schedule further complicates matters for both teams.
Silence from Officials
At this pivotal point, spokespeople for MLB, the Braves, and the Mets have refrained from commenting on the proceedings and future steps. "Spokespeople for MLB, the Braves and the Mets all offered no comment on how this point was reached and what is next," sources reported.
As the situation unfolds, the fans, players, and officials continue to monitor the weather closely, hoping for a break that will allow the critical series to proceed as planned. For now, the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets remain in a state of suspense, with the upcoming games carrying profound implications for their postseason dreams.