Major League Baseball has announced the postponement of two games between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets, initially scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, due to the impending arrival of Hurricane Helene in the Atlanta area. The decision came after deliberations, considering the potential impact of the hurricane on the safety and logistics of the games.
Impact of Postponement
The Braves and Mets are both in significant positions as the season nears its conclusion. The Mets, holding an 87-70 record, have already secured the National League's No. 5 seed. On the other hand, the Braves are in a fierce battle, trailing just a half-game behind Arizona for the final NL wild-card spot.
If these postponed games bear postseason implications, they will be rescheduled as a doubleheader on Monday. This scenario is likely, given the current standings, and would require the Mets to travel back to Atlanta for the match-up. The Braves are set to host the Kansas City Royals at Truist Park this weekend, while the Mets have a three-game series lined up against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Decision Controversy
The decision to postpone the games did not come without its fair share of controversy. According to an unnamed source cited by the New York Post, "the Braves balked at moving any games this series because they were expecting large crowds at Truist Park." This expectation was evident as Tuesday's series opener saw an attendance of 40,103, with Atlanta securing a 5-1 victory.
Background conversations with involved personnel revealed that the Braves were concerned about the logistical challenges and financial impact of rescheduling. "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," explained another insider.
MLB's Role in the Decision
The ultimate authority in making the postponement call rested with Major League Baseball. Sources remarked, "the blame for any weather issues during these important games Wednesday and Thursday falls on MLB. The league has the final say." This decision underscores the MLB's commitment to safety, albeit recognizing the logistical and financial ramifications for the home team, the Atlanta Braves.
As the weekend approaches, all eyes will be on the performances of both teams in their respective series. The final standings and postseason implications remain uncertain, heightening the importance of every game played.
For the Braves, the additional challenge of potentially playing a Monday doubleheader adds another layer to their quest for a playoff spot. Meanwhile, the Mets, who are already assured of their postseason berth, will need to navigate travel and maintain their form heading into the decisive part of the season.
Both teams and their fans will be hoping for clarity on the postseason picture come Sunday night, as the postponed games could turn out to be critical in deciding the fate of playoff spots in the National League.