As the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets commenced their pivotal three-game series on Tuesday night, all eyes were on the tight race for a wild-card spot. The Mets currently hold a precarious half-game lead over the Braves, making every game crucial in the battle for postseason berth.
The Braves struck first blood, securing a victory in the series opener, inching them just half a game behind their rivals. While the Mets have the opportunity to clinch a playoff berth by taking two out of the next three games, the Braves aren’t in a position to secure their spot solely through this series.
The Looming Threat of Hurricane Helene
As the excitement of the series builds, another force, Hurricane Helene, has captured attention. Upgraded to a hurricane on Wednesday's 11 a.m. update by the National Hurricane Center, Helene is expected to make landfall in Florida as a Category 3 storm on Thursday. The imminent arrival of Helene is creating considerable uncertainty around the series schedule.
Atlanta is forecasted to experience heavy rain starting Wednesday at 1 p.m., continuing through Friday, with potential thunderstorms and tornadoes in the mix. Despite these foreboding weather predictions, as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, the league had not announced any changes to the series schedule.
Possible Adjustments and Historical Precedents
Thursday's game, slated for a 7:20 p.m. ET start, could see a shift to an earlier time slot, such as 1 p.m. ET or 12 p.m. ET, in an effort to avoid the storm's peak. Another option on the table includes the possibility of a doubleheader on Wednesday, owing to Monday's off-day.
MLB has a precedent for relocating entire series due to severe weather. Notable instances include the Astros vs. Cubs series in 2008, moved to Milwaukee's Miller Park because of Hurricane Ike, and the Rangers vs. Astros series in 2017, relocated to Tampa's Tropicana Field due to Hurricane Harvey. With this in mind, Globe Life Field in Arlington is being eyed as a potential alternate site should relocation become necessary for the Braves and Mets.
However, any rescheduling or relocation decision remains intricate, particularly if Thursday's game holds significant implications for postseason qualification. Should the game be postponed to Monday, it would fall on the off-day between the regular season's conclusion and the start of the Wild Card Series. Both teams might end up playing a 161-game season instead of the standard 162 if the game is not rescheduled.
Efficiency at the Forefront
League officials are keen on minimizing disruption. Consequently, the simplest and most efficient solutions seem to be either advancing Thursday’s game to earlier in the day or scheduling a doubleheader on Wednesday. The Braves hold a slight advantage in this scenario, as they do not need to travel immediately after this series. Conversely, the Mets face a potentially convoluted schedule post-series.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza noted the lack of communication from MLB as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, expressing the uncertainty shared by both teams. "Life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and flooding rains to a large portion of Florida and the southeastern United States," warned the National Hurricane Center, underscoring the potential severity of Helene.
Ultimately, the decision lies with MLB officials, who are vigilantly monitoring Helene’s path and weighing the best course of action to ensure both player safety and the integrity of the postseason race. As the series continues under the persistent threat of inclement weather, fans and players alike await the league's next move with bated breath.