Braves and Mets Clash in High-Stakes Series Amid Looming Hurricane Helene
The Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets kicked off a pivotal three-game series on Tuesday night, with both teams vying for crucial postseason positions. The Mets currently cling to a tenuous half-game lead in the wild-card race, while the Braves are nipping at their heels, just half a game behind.
The stakes are high for both clubs. The Braves drew first blood by securing the opening win of the series on Tuesday, a result that tightens the race even further. With two more games on the line, the Mets have an opportunity to clinch a postseason berth by winning at least two out of the remaining three contests. In contrast, the Braves cannot yet cement their playoff spot within this series alone.
Hurricane Helene Raises Alarms
While the focus remains on the field, an off-field storm threatens to disrupt the schedule. Hurricane Helene was officially upgraded to a hurricane in the National Hurricane Center's 11 a.m. Wednesday update. Forecasts predict Helene will make landfall in Florida as a formidable Category 3 storm on Thursday, bringing potentially life-threatening conditions.
"Life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and flooding rains to a large portion of Florida and the southeastern United States," warned the National Hurricane Center.
Impact on Series Scheduling
The storm's outer bands are expected to impact Atlanta by Wednesday afternoon. Heavy rain, thunderstorms, and even tornadoes could persist through Friday. As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, the league had made no alterations to the series schedule. The game on Thursday remains planned for a 7:20 p.m. ET start, but MLB officials continue to closely monitor the storm's trajectory.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza commented, “I have not received any word from MLB as of 5 p.m. Tuesday.”
Adjustments to the schedule could be imminent. MLB might consider moving Thursday’s game to an earlier time slot, possibly at 1 p.m. or 12 p.m. ET, to avoid the brunt of the storm. Another option on the table is scheduling a doubleheader on Wednesday, benefiting from Monday's off-day.
Contingency Plans in Place
Historical precedence exists for relocating entire MLB series due to severe weather. For example, the Astros vs. Cubs series in 2008 was moved to Milwaukee’s Miller Park due to Hurricane Ike, and the Rangers vs. Astros series in 2017 was relocated to Tampa’s Tropicana Field in response to Hurricane Harvey.
In the event of relocation, Globe Life Field in Arlington is a viable alternate site for the Braves and Mets if the situation necessitates such a move. Should the game be postponed to Monday, it would coincide with the off-day between the regular season's end and the start of the Wild Card Series. This adjustment would only occur if the game proved crucial for determining postseason qualifications.
Weathering the Challenges
Both teams face different logistical challenges in light of the storm's potential impact. The Braves fortunately do not have immediate travel plans following the series, offering some flexibility. The Mets, however, could find their schedule significantly disrupted, complicating their postseason aspirations.
The prospect of both teams playing a shortened 161-game season rather than the standard 162 remains a complex last resort. Therefore, the simplest and most efficient solutions are either advancing Thursday’s game to an earlier time or scheduling a doubleheader on Wednesday.
As Hurricane Helene churns its way toward Florida and the southeastern United States, MLB officials, team managers, and fans alike remain on edge, closely monitoring updates. The league’s final decision hinges on the storm’s trajectory and intensity, emphasizing the delicate balance between sports and safety in this high-stakes scenario.