In light of the approaching Hurricane Helene, Major League Baseball has announced the postponement of the upcoming games between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets. Initially set for Wednesday and Thursday, the games will now be combined into a doubleheader on Monday, provided they hold postseason significance.
The decision comes as Hurricane Helene makes its way toward the Atlanta area, prompting safety concerns and logistical challenges. The New York Mets currently hold an 87-70 record, cementing their position as the National League's No. 5 seed. Meanwhile, the Braves are a half-game behind the Arizona Diamondbacks for the final NL wild-card spot. With playoff implications hanging in the balance, the decision to postpone and reschedule the games was inevitable.
Impact on Teams
The weekend ahead holds different challenges for both teams. The Mets are slated to play a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers, while the Braves are scheduled to face the Kansas City Royals at home. Should the postponed games prove necessary, the Mets will have to return to Atlanta for the Monday doubleheader—a scenario that adds travel fatigue to their already demanding schedule.
While the decision to postpone was unavoidable, it didn't come without controversy. According to the New York Post, the Braves were reluctant to reschedule any games in the series, due to the high expected attendance at Truist Park. Background conversations with involved personnel revealed that the Braves were anticipating a large turnout for the games and were keen on avoiding the challenges of rescheduling key staff such as security and concessionaires.
“According to the New York Post, the Braves balked at moving any games this series because they were expecting large crowds at Truist Park,” disclosed an unnamed source. Another insider added, “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.”
League Authority and Responsibility
Ultimately, the final say lay with Major League Baseball, which had to weigh the safety concerns posed by the incoming hurricane. “The blame for any weather issues during these important games Wednesday and Thursday falls on MLB. The league has the final say,” noted sources.
Truist Park saw an attendance of 40,103 for the series opener on Tuesday, a game that the Braves won handily with a score of 5-1. The victory not only boosted Atlanta's morale but also drew significant crowd support, highlighting the financial implications of any postponement for the home team.
Postseason Implications
The rescheduling of these games means that whether or not they will be played hinges on their bearing upon the postseason picture. “The games will only be played if there are postseason implications, but that seems likely as things stand,” an unnamed source indicated. Given Atlanta's current position in the standings, every game from here on out carries substantial weight.
As the storm approaches and teams adjust their preparations, the broader impact on both teams’ postseason hopes could become a significant storyline. The Mets, traveling to Milwaukee, and the Braves, hosting Kansas City, are now under additional pressure to perform as they await further clarity on their postponed matchups.
For now, all eyes will be on the weather patterns and how they evolve, with the hope that safety remains the priority while teams gear up for the crucial final stretch of the regular season.