As of Wednesday afternoon, the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets are in a holding pattern, anxiously waiting to see if they can complete their crucial three-game series at Truist Park. Hurricane Helene looms over the region, bringing a threat of heavy rain and strong winds that could disrupt Wednesday and Thursday’s games.
Major League Baseball (MLB) has yet to announce any changes to the schedule, leaving both teams and their fans in a state of uncertainty. While the league has previously moved games to neutral sites under similar circumstances, no such decision has been made this time. The league could have rescheduled Thursday’s game to Monday, an off-day for both teams, or even arranged a doubleheader. However, those options are no longer viable.
Attendance Concerns
Central to the hesitation to reschedule has been the Braves' expectation of large crowds. Tuesday’s series opener saw 40,103 fans fill Truist Park, illustrating the strong turnout the Braves were counting on.
"Basically the Braves were expecting large attendance for the three games (it was 40,103 at Truist Park for Tuesday's series opener, won 5-1 by Atlanta) 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 sources.
League's Stance
Despite the mounting weather concerns, MLB has decided not to overrule the current scheduling setup. This means that, pending weather conditions, the Braves and Mets could potentially face a doubleheader next Monday, the designated off-day between the end of the regular season and the start of the Wild Card Series.
Travel Complications
This potential rearrangement presents logistical nightmares. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, both teams might find themselves juggling a brutal travel schedule. The Mets, for example, could end up traveling from Atlanta to Milwaukee, then back to Atlanta, and potentially to the west coast within just one week. This is in addition to flying out of Atlanta under severe weather conditions, further complicating matters.
The Braves have their own set of issues to consider. Hosting the Kansas City Royals this weekend while the storm threatens the area poses significant challenges for both teams' travel plans. Both the Royals and the Braves need a clear window to coordinate their movements amidst the impending cyclone.
Wild Card Implications
The stakes for these games are exceptionally high, given the current standings. Entering play on Wednesday, the Braves trail the Arizona Diamondbacks by a mere half-game for the third wild-card slot. Meanwhile, the Mets hold a slim half-game lead over Arizona and a one-game advantage over Atlanta. Given these tight margins, Wednesday’s and Thursday's games carry monumental weight in the wild-card race.
Uncertainty and Speculation
Potential game cancellations add another layer of complexity. While it seems unlikely, if the games are deemed meaningless from a standings perspective, they could potentially be scrapped. This option, however, remains speculative as every game’s outcome could dramatically shift the playoff picture.
“Spokespeople for MLB, the Braves and the Mets all offered no comment on how this point was reached and what is next,” shedding little light on the forthcoming decisions.
Weather Watch
All eyes remain on Hurricane Helene, as its path and intensity will ultimately dictate the fate of the series. Fans, teams, and league officials watch closely, hoping for the best while preparing for a range of scenarios that could unfold in the coming days at Truist Park.