In a surprising yet understandable move, Major League Baseball has announced the postponement of two highly anticipated games between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets. The decision comes as Hurricane Helene bears down on the Atlanta area, raising safety concerns for players, staff, and fans alike.
The games originally scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday have been pushed to Monday. However, these make-up games will only take place if there are postseason implications. Given the current standings and the intensity of the National League wild-card race, this seems quite likely.
Impact on Playoff Races
The Mets, boasting an 87-70 record, have already secured the National League's No. 5 seed. Meanwhile, the Braves are clawing their way into contention, trailing just a half-game behind Arizona for the final NL wild-card spot. This tight race sets the stage for what could be a pivotal doubleheader on Monday if the outcomes bear significance for the playoff picture.
Adding another layer of complexity, the Mets are scheduled to face the Milwaukee Brewers in a crucial three-game series this weekend, while the Braves will host the Kansas City Royals at Truist Park. This compressed schedule means that the Mets would need to travel back to Atlanta for the potential Monday doubleheader, adding a layer of logistical challenges for both teams.
Attendance and Revenue Concerns
Truist Park was nearly at full capacity for Tuesday's series opener, drawing an impressive crowd of 40,103 as Atlanta emerged victorious with a 5-1 win. Given this, it is understandable why the Braves were initially hesitant to reschedule any games. According to a report from the New York Post, the Braves "balked at moving any games this series because they were expecting large crowds at Truist Park." This sentiment was echoed by an unnamed insider, who stated, "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."
Responsibility and Decision-Making
Despite these concerns, the ultimate decision fell to Major League Baseball. Sources close to the situation indicated, "Ultimately, the blame for any weather issues during these important games Wednesday and Thursday falls on MLB. The league has the final say." This statement underscores the league's significant role in ensuring the safety and integrity of the game, especially as teams make their final playoff pushes.
As the weekend progresses, the potential for these games to influence postseason outcomes looms large. Both teams will have to navigate their respective series with the Brewers and Royals, all while keeping an eye on potential changes in standings that could trigger the Monday doubleheader.
For fans, players, and team management, the next few days will be a whirlwind of strategy, travel, and anticipation. Whether the Braves' home crowd can once again flood Truist Park or if the Mets will need to make a quick return trip to Atlanta, the drama within Major League Baseball is far from over.