Major League Baseball has decided to postpone the midweek games between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets due to the looming threat of Hurricane Helene, expected to make its way into the Atlanta area. The games, originally slated for Wednesday and Thursday, will be rescheduled as a doubleheader on Monday, but only if they have postseason implications.
Weather Concerns and Scheduling Adjustments
This decision comes at a critical juncture in the season, as both teams are in the midst of a heated battle for playoff spots. The Mets, currently holding an 87-70 record, have already secured the No. 5 seed in the National League. The Braves, on the other hand, are trailing a mere half-game behind Arizona for the final NL wild-card spot. Given the high stakes, every game is crucial for Atlanta.
The logistical challenge of rescheduling the games hinges on the results of the coming weekend's series. The Mets will be facing the Milwaukee Brewers in a three-game series, while the Braves are set to play the Kansas City Royals at home. Should these series results necessitate, the Mets would have to return to Atlanta for the doubleheader on Monday.
Impact on Teams and Players
The postponement presents an added layer of complexity for both organizations, particularly the Mets, who would have to alter their travel plans and return to Georgia following their series in Milwaukee. Truist Park, which saw an impressive attendance of 40,103 for last Tuesday's series opener—an event that Atlanta won convincingly 5-1—now faces the prospect of accommodating another high-stakes event.
Behind the Scenes
Behind the scenes, the decision was met with some resistance. According to the New York Post, the Braves were reluctant to move any games from the current series due to anticipated large crowds at Truist Park. Sources indicated that the Braves were keen to maintain the schedule to avoid the logistical challenges of rearranging personnel, such as security and concession workers.
“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,” shared an insider familiar with the conditions surrounding the decision.
MLB’s Call
Ultimately, MLB holds the authority over such decisions, especially when urgent weather concerns are at play. According to involved personnel, the league has taken the final responsibility for any weather-induced disruptions during these pivotal games. "The blame for any weather issues during these important games Wednesday and Thursday falls on MLB. The league has the final say," stated a source.
As per another unnamed source, there is a high probability that the games will need to be played due to their potential postseason impact. “The games will only be played if there are postseason implications, but that seems likely as things stand,” noted the source.
For fans and players alike, the next few days will be nerve-wracking as they await both the storm's approach and the results from each team's weekend series. Only then will it become clear whether the Mets will face the added challenge of a doubleheader in Atlanta on Monday, a possibility that looms large as the postseason draws near.