Major League Baseball has decided to postpone two highly anticipated games between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets due to the impending arrival of Hurricane Helene in the Atlanta area.
The games originally set for Wednesday and Thursday will be moved to a later date, should they hold any postseason significance. As things stand, this scenario appears likely.
Impact on Season Standings
The rearranged schedule could play a pivotal role in the postseason picture. The Mets, holding an 87-70 record, have already secured the National League's No. 5 seed. Meanwhile, the Braves are in a fierce battle for the final NL wild-card spot, trailing the Arizona Diamondbacks by just half a game.
The Mets are scheduled to face the Milwaukee Brewers in a three-game series this weekend, and the outcome of this series could further solidify or jeopardize their postseason seeding. Simultaneously, the Braves will be playing at home against the Kansas City Royals, adding to the excitement of this critical period in the MLB season.
Logistical Challenges and Financial Considerations
The decision by MLB wasn't without controversy. According to sources, the Braves were initially reluctant to move any of the games in this series due to the expectation of large crowds at Truist Park. An unnamed insider revealed, "According to the New York Post, the Braves balked at moving any games this series because they were expecting large crowds at Truist Park."
Another informed source elaborated on the logistical challenges and financial considerations that influenced the Braves' stance. "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."
The implications are clear: the Braves were weighing the financial loss and operational complexities against the inconvenience of rescheduling.
MLB's Authority and Contingency Plans
The league ultimately had the final say in the matter. Sources pointed out, "Ultimately, the blame for any weather issues during these important games Wednesday and Thursday falls on MLB. The league has the final say."
To accommodate the postponed games, a contingency plan has been established. If postseason implications are still in play, the Braves and Mets will face off in a doubleheader on Monday. This arrangement requires the Mets to extend their travel back to Atlanta, adding an extra layer of complexity to their schedule.
Record Crowd Amidst the Uncertainty
The Braves' concerns aren't entirely unfounded. Tuesday's series opener saw an impressive turnout, with 40,103 fans in attendance. The game concluded with the Braves securing a 5-1 victory, adding to the sense of urgency and excitement surrounding the series.
As the weekend approaches, both teams will be laser-focused on their immediate matchups, recognizing that every game could have significant postseason implications. For now, both fans and players alike will have to navigate through a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty as Hurricane Helene makes its way towards Atlanta.
This development is a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of sports scheduling and the broader influence of external factors like weather. With the potential for a high-stakes doubleheader looming, the Braves and Mets must brace themselves for the final stretch of this compelling MLB season.