This week, baseball fans are gearing up for what promises to be the most crucial showdown of the 2024 MLB regular season as the Atlanta Braves prepare to host the New York Mets in a decisive three-game series at Truist Park. With one potential postseason spot hanging in the balance, the stakes couldn't be higher for both teams.
The atmosphere is tense as a potential hurricane looms over the region, adding an extra layer of uncertainty to an already high-stakes battle. The National League wild-card race has been whittled down to a four-team fight for three coveted postseason spots, with Atlanta's competitors already having been eliminated.
History adds another twist to this intense matchup. Two years ago, in a similar high-pressure situation, the Braves swept the Mets in the penultimate series of the regular season, stripping the Mets of their first-place standing in the NL East. The question now looms: Will history repeat itself, or will the Mets seek revenge?
The series kicks off on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 7:20 p.m. ET with a contest featuring right-handers Luis Severino of the Mets and Spencer Schwellenbach of the Braves. The following games promise to be equally gripping, showcasing matchups of seasoned left-handers: David Peterson against Chris Sale on Wednesday, followed by Sean Manaea squaring off against Max Fried on Thursday.
The Mets have strategically adjusted their rotation, leveraging Monday's off-day to push Jose Quintana’s start to Friday, hinting at their tactical approach as they aim to clinch their postseason ticket by winning at least two games in this series.
Mets' Rising Stars and Veteran Performers
Despite the pressure, the Mets have seen remarkable performances from rookie Luisangel Acuña, who has been exceptional at shortstop, hitting a stellar .409 with two doubles, a triple, and three home runs since stepping in for the injured Francisco Lindor. Veteran Jose Iglesias has also stepped up, batting an impressive .467 since taking over leadoff and second base duties in the absence of Jeff McNeil, who is sidelined with a wrist injury.
There's a glimmer of hope that Lindor might return before the season's end, though he is realistic about playing through pain. His potential return could provide a significant boost to the Mets as they vie for a playoff spot.
Braves' Offensive Surge
Meanwhile, the Braves are far from being pushovers. Marcell Ozuna has been on a tear, slashing .329/.417/.425 in September. Contributions from Ramón Laureano and Whit Merrifield have also bolstered the Braves' lineup, adding to the narrative of a team ready to fight tooth and nail for a postseason berth. However, JD Martinez and Mark Vientos have struggled recently, which could be a point of vulnerability the Mets might exploit.
Even if the Braves manage to sweep the Mets, it won't necessarily secure a wild-card spot for them, especially if the Arizona Diamondbacks falter against the San Francisco Giants. On the flip side, if the Mets win two out of the three games, their path to the postseason becomes clear, though the Braves wouldn't be entirely out of contention just yet—they would need to outperform Arizona in the final stretch of games.
What Lies Beyond
The road ahead remains challenging for both teams. Following this pivotal series, the Mets will head to Milwaukee to face the Brewers, who have clinched the NL Central and are now focused on securing a Wild Card Series bye. The Braves, on the other hand, will stay home to play a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals, who are themselves embroiled in a tight wild-card race. The stakes could be astronomical, with Game 162 potentially turning into a win-or-go-home scenario for both the Braves and Royals.
As Sean Murphy aptly put it, "You knew it a couple weeks ago, right? That series is probably gonna help decide this thing." Indeed, all eyes are on Atlanta this week as these storied franchises prepare for a battle that could very well define their seasons—and their futures.