The effects of Hurricane Helene have officially rippled through the sports world, as Major League Baseball announced the postponement of two pivotal games between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets.
This decision came as a precaution with Hurricane Helene advancing towards the Atlanta area, making it necessary to reschedule Wednesday and Thursday’s games. In place of these original game dates, MLB has slated a doubleheader for Monday, contingent on the postseason implications of the outcomes. With the Mets holding an 87-70 record and sitting comfortably in the National League’s No. 5 seed and the Braves trailing just a half-game behind Arizona for the final NL wild-card spot, these games could indeed carry significant weight in the playoff picture.
A Complex Decision
The journey to this postponement was far from straightforward. According to sources, the Braves initially resisted reworking the series schedule altogether. The New York Post reported that, “The Braves balked at moving any games this series because they were expecting large crowds at Truist Park.” Another insider elaborated, highlighting the logistical hurdles the Braves would face, stating, “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.”
While these factors heavily influenced the Braves' perspective, the final decision rested in the hands of Major League Baseball. As is customary in such scenarios, the governing body made the ruling based on safety priorities and logistical feasibilities, thus ensuring the teams, fans, and employees are not put in harm's way by the impending storm. “Ultimately, the blame for any weather issues during these important games Wednesday and Thursday falls on MLB. The league has the final say,” sources added.
Postseason Implications
With the revised schedule, the Mets will face the strenuous task of traveling back to Atlanta to fulfill the doubleheader commitment if required by postseason standings. Already in the midst of a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers over the weekend, the Mets' endurance and adaptability will be put to the test. For the Braves, staying put to play the Kansas City Royals at home remains their immediate focus, as they strive to close the narrow gap in the wild-card race.
Tuesday's series opener at Truist Park saw an impressive turnout, with an attendance of 40,103 fans witnessing a 5-1 victory for the Braves. The large crowd underscored the team's concerns about moving the games in the first place, given the popularity of the matchups and the associated revenue from sold tickets. As one unnamed source predicted, the games postponed earlier will likely be replayed, saying, “The games will only be played if there are postseason implications, but that seems likely as things stand.”
While the rescheduling poses unpredictable challenges, it also exemplifies the flexibility required in professional sports amidst unforeseen circumstances. Both teams will need to adapt swiftly to ensure they maintain their competitive edge as the season draws to a nail-biting close.
In the interim, all eyes will be on the developments both on and off the field as the Braves and Mets navigate their respective series and the looming doubleheader. How the teams handle the added pressure and adjustments could prove determinative as they each vie for their share of postseason glory.