Major League Baseball has announced the postponement of a pair of pivotal games between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets due to the impending approach of Hurricane Helene to the Atlanta area. Originally slated for Wednesday and Thursday, the games will now potentially be played as a doubleheader on Monday, contingent on their postseason implications.
The Mets currently boast an 87-70 record, which has secured them the No. 5 seed in the National League. The Braves, meanwhile, trail Arizona by a mere half-game for the final wild-card spot in the NL, making these rescheduled games significant for their playoff aspirations.
An unnamed source shed some light on the logistical considerations behind the Braves' reluctance to move any games in this crucial series. "According to the New York Post, the Braves balked at moving any games this series because they were expecting large crowds at Truist Park," the source revealed.
The Financial Stakes
The financial impact of high attendance numbers seemed to weigh heavily on the decision-making process. Another insider added, "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."
These logistical concerns underscore the complexity of rescheduling games, especially when significant revenue from ticket sales and concessions is at stake. Truist Park saw an attendance of 40,103 for Tuesday’s series opener, which Atlanta won decisively with a 5-1 scoreline.
MLB’s Final Say
Despite the Braves' reluctance, ultimately, the call was made by Major League Baseball. "The blame for any weather issues during these important games Wednesday and Thursday falls on MLB. The league has the final say," noted sources familiar with the situation. Given the hurricane's trajectory, safety considerations took precedence over all else.
The rearrangement means that the Mets will have to travel back to Atlanta for the Monday doubleheader, adding another layer of logistical complexity to an already challenging situation. This comes on top of their upcoming three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers this weekend. The Braves, on the other hand, are scheduled to host the Kansas City Royals this weekend.
Postseason Implications
As for the postponed games being played, the contingency hinges on their impact on the postseason landscape. "The games will only be played if there are postseason implications, but that seems likely as things stand," said an unnamed source. Given the tight race for the wild-card spots, fans and teams alike will be keeping a close eye on the unfolding scenarios over the weekend.
For now, both the Braves and the Mets will have to pivot their focus to their respective upcoming series, knowing that the hurricane-delayed games could become crucial. If the games do prove necessary, baseball fans can expect a high-stakes doubleheader on Monday that could shape the outcome of this year’s postseason race.