The Atlanta Braves and New York Mets are in the midst of a pivotal three-game series that began on Tuesday night. This series holds significant implications for both teams' postseason aspirations, with the Mets currently clutching a half-game lead for a wild-card spot. The Braves, trailing closely, are just half a game behind.
In the series opener on Tuesday, the Braves came out on top, securing a vital victory. Looking ahead, the Mets need to clinch two out of the remaining three games to guarantee a postseason berth. However, for the Braves, simply winning this series will not secure their playoff spot outright.
Weather Woes: Hurricane Helene Brewing
Adding to the drama on the field is the impending arrival of Hurricane Helene, which was upgraded to a hurricane by the National Hurricane Center in their 11 a.m. Wednesday update. Helene is expected to make landfall in Florida on Thursday as a formidable Category 3 storm. The weather outlook is grim for Atlanta as well, with forecasts predicting heavy rain beginning at 1 p.m. on Wednesday and lasting through Friday. This inclement weather may bring thunderstorms and potentially, tornadoes.
As of Tuesday at 5 p.m., the league had not made any adjustments to the game schedule, despite the potentially disruptive storm. Thursday's game is still scheduled for a 7:20 p.m. ET start, but MLB might consider moving the game to an earlier time slot, such as 1 p.m. ET or 12 p.m. ET, to avoid the brunt of the storm.
Potential Contingency Plans
Several contingency plans are under consideration. One option is to play a doubleheader on Wednesday, taking advantage of Monday's off-day. Another possibility involves relocating the entire series to a neutral venue. In the past, MLB has relocated significant series due to severe weather. Notable instances include the 2008 Astros vs. Cubs series, relocated to Milwaukee's Miller Park due to Hurricane Ike, and the 2017 Rangers vs. Astros series, moved to Tampa's Tropicana Field in response to Hurricane Harvey.
Currently, Globe Life Field in Arlington is being eyed as a potential alternate site for the Braves and Mets series if relocation becomes necessary.
For now, the most straightforward and efficient solutions appear to be either advancing Thursday's game to the afternoon or scheduling a doubleheader on Wednesday. Given the logistical complexities, moving the game to a neutral site or rescheduling it post-regular season would be considered only as a last resort.
If the weather forces a postponement of any game to Monday, it would fall on the off-day between the end of the regular season and the start of the Wild Card Series. This adjustment would only be made if the postponed game bears significant weight in determining postseason qualification. Otherwise, both teams might end up with a 161-game season instead of the standard 162.
Concerns from the Dugout
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza expressed that, as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, he had not received any updates from MLB regarding potential schedule changes. The league's officials are keeping a close watch on Hurricane Helene's path, mindful of the safety and logistical challenges it poses.
Adding another layer of complexity, the Braves have the advantage of not needing to travel immediately after this series. In contrast, the Mets face a potentially disruptive schedule post-series, which could affect their readiness for impending games.
As Helene looms larger, both teams find themselves juggling between their playoff ambitions and the uncertainty brought on by Mother Nature. The league's timely decisions on schedule adjustments will be crucial in maintaining the integrity and safety of the games. Fans and players alike will be watching closely, hoping for clear skies and uninterrupted baseball.