This week, the baseball world’s attention is firmly fixed on Truist Park, where the Atlanta Braves are set to host the New York Mets in a pivotal three-game series. With a potential postseason spot hanging in the balance, the stakes could not be higher for both teams. Adding to the drama, a potential hurricane is forecasted to bear down on the region, threatening to impact the series schedule.
Both teams are embroiled in a fierce battle for the three coveted National League postseason spots. Atlanta has already eliminated all other contenders behind them in the NL wild-card race; however, merely sweeping the Mets will not guarantee a wild-card spot for the Braves. Simultaneously, the Mets need two wins out of the three games to punch their ticket to the postseason—a feat they are more than capable of achieving, given recent adjustments to their rotation.
“You knew it a couple weeks ago, right? That series is probably gonna help decide this thing,” said Sean Murphy, perfectly encapsulating the gravity of the upcoming face-off.
The Braves and Mets have historically had their fair share of season-defining showdowns. As recently as two years ago, the Braves swept the Mets in the penultimate series of the regular season, stripping them of their NL East first-place position. This time around, both teams are well aware of what's at stake.
Series Lineup
The series kicks off on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 7:20 p.m. ET with Luis Severino of the Mets taking on Spencer Schwellenbach of the Braves. The next two games feature matchups of seasoned left-handers: David Peterson against Chris Sale on Wednesday, followed by Sean Manaea versus Max Fried on Thursday. The Mets used Monday’s off-day strategically to push back Jose Quintana’s start to Friday, ensuring their top pitchers are primed for this critical series.
In the Braves' camp, their stellar rookies and veterans have been delivering when it matters most. Rookie sensation Luisangel Acuña has shone brightly at shortstop, hitting .409 with two doubles, a triple, and three home runs since stepping in for the injured Francisco Lindor. Meanwhile, veteran Jose Iglesias has been nothing short of spectacular since assuming leadoff and second base duties in place of Jeff McNeil, who is nursing a wrist injury. Iglesias has hit .467 in this new role, providing a crucial spark at the top of the lineup.
As for the Mets, there's cautious optimism around Lindor’s return this season, though he has acknowledged that playing without pain may not be possible. Until then, Acuña continues to fill the void impressively.
Player Performances
Marcell Ozuna has been in red-hot form this September, slashing .329/.417/.425 to provide critical offensive contributions. In contrast, JD Martinez and Mark Vientos have struggled to find their groove this month, underperforming when their team needs them most. Nevertheless, Ramón Laureano and Whit Merrifield have stepped up, contributing significantly to the Braves' lineup.
The future for both teams hinges on more than just this series. The Mets are slated to head to Milwaukee immediately after facing the Braves, where they will take on the Brewers. Having clinched the NL Central, the Brewers are now setting their sights on securing a Wild Card Series bye. The Braves will stay home for a three-game stint against the Kansas City Royals, who are equally enmeshed in a tight wild-card race.
With multiple scenarios in play, it’s clear that even if the Mets manage to win two games, the Braves are not necessarily out of the running. A sweep of their upcoming series against Kansas City could still see them edge out Arizona, depending on the final games' outcomes. Game 162 could very well turn into a do-or-die situation for both the Braves and the Royals, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the regular season.
As this decisive series unfolds, fans and analysts alike will be keeping a close eye on every pitch, every hit, and every play, understanding fully that these games could be the tipping point in an already riveting MLB season.