Major League Baseball has opted to postpone two pivotal matchups between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets due to the impending threat posed by Hurricane Helene on the Atlanta area.
The games, which were originally scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, will be rescheduled as a doubleheader on Monday, contingent upon their impact on postseason outcomes. Given the current standings, this scenario appears likely. The Mets are currently sitting comfortably with an 87-70 record, securing the National League's No. 5 seed. Meanwhile, the Braves find themselves trailing by just a half-game behind the Arizona Diamondbacks for the final wild-card spot. This makes the postponed games critical for Atlanta's playoff aspirations.
Despite the logistical challenges posed by the hurricane, the Mets are looking ahead to a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers this weekend. The Braves, on the other hand, are set to host the Kansas City Royals at Truist Park. This change means that the Mets will need to return to Atlanta for the crucial doubleheader on Monday should the games bear postseason significance.
Attendance Concerns and Logistical Hurdles
In the midst of these rescheduling efforts, an additional layer of complexity emerged. According to sources cited by the New York Post, the Braves were resistant to relocating the games within the series. The primary reason cited for this reluctance was their expectation of large crowds at Truist Park. Background conversations revealed that the organization did not want to forgo gate revenues or deal with the challenge of reassigning personnel such as security and concessionaires.
An insider elaborated, noting, "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."
The series opener on Tuesday night, which saw a robust attendance of 40,103 fans at Truist Park, underscored Atlanta's expectations. The Braves did not disappoint their fans, clinching a decisive 5-1 victory over the Mets. However, this win has now set the stage for even higher stakes in the framable upcoming games.
MLB's Role in the Decision
When it comes to decisions of this nature, MLB holds the final say. Sources from within the league and the teams have indicated that the responsibility for managing weather-related disruptions in such critical games rests squarely with MLB. Commenting on the situation, insiders stated, "Ultimately, the blame for any weather issues during these important games Wednesday and Thursday falls on MLB. The league has the final say."
Recognizing the significant implications these games have on the playoff picture, MLB's decision to postpone is aimed at ensuring that the outcomes are determined on the field rather than by external factors. As one anonymous source noted, while the rescheduled doubleheader is conditional, "The games will only be played if there are postseason implications, but that seems likely as things stand."
As we await the resolution of this rescheduling mishap, it is clear that the approaching hurricane and MLB's response have added a layer of unpredictability and drama to an already intense regular-season finish. Whether the games ultimately take place on Monday could potentially shape the playoff landscape in a highly competitive National League.
Fans, players, and league officials alike will now keep a close watch on both the weather developments and the weekend series outcomes, awaiting to see if Monday's doubleheader will become a defining moment in the race to the postseason. Until then, the specter of Hurricane Helene, logistical challenges, and high stakes on the field continue to set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to this MLB season.