The Major League Baseball (MLB) announced a significant change this week as two games between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets were postponed due to the impending approach of Hurricane Helene in the Atlanta area. Originally scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, these games are now set to be played as a doubleheader on Monday, a move dependent on postseason implications.
Currently, the Mets, holding an 87-70 record, have secured the National League's No. 5 seed. The Braves, on the other hand, are in close contention for the final NL wild-card spot, trailing just a half-game behind the Arizona Diamondbacks. This delicate balance in the rankings could make the rescheduled doubleheader crucial in determining postseason fates.
The Impact of Hurricane Helene
As Hurricane Helene approaches, the safety concerns were paramount in the MLB’s decision to postpone the games. “Ultimately, the blame for any weather issues during these important games Wednesday and Thursday falls on MLB. The league has the final say,” sources confirmed.
The Mets are due for a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers this weekend, while the Braves are scheduled to face off against the Kansas City Royals at Truist Park. This rearrangement necessitates a return trip to Atlanta for the Mets to accommodate the Monday doubleheader.
Attendance and Logistics
Tuesday's series opener at Truist Park saw an impressive turnout, with an attendance of 40,103 fans watching as the Braves secured a 5-1 victory. Despite the impending severe weather, the Braves were keen on maintaining high attendance for the series. “According to the New York Post, the Braves balked at moving any games this series because they were expecting large crowds at Truist Park,” an unnamed source revealed. Further background conversations corroborated this sentiment, pointing out that the team did not want to deal with the challenges of rescheduling security, concessionaires, and other personnel.
“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,” another insider elaborated.
Postseason Implications
The necessity of the doubleheader on Monday hinges on the postseason implications of these games. With the NL wild-card spot still in contention, both teams could find these rescheduled games pivotal. “The games will only be played if there are postseason implications, but that seems likely as things stand,” stated an unnamed source, highlighting the ongoing tension and competitive spirit driving both teams towards the playoffs.
As fans and teams brace for the potential impact of Hurricane Helene, the MLB's decision underscores the delicate balance between ensuring safety and maintaining the integrity of the postseason race. The evolving weather conditions and their impact on scheduled games remain at the forefront of the league's considerations, with all eyes now on the pivotal matchups ahead this weekend and beyond.