As of Wednesday afternoon, the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets find themselves in a precarious situation, closely monitoring weather forecasts to determine if they can complete their crucial three-game series at Truist Park. Hurricane Helene’s imminent arrival threatens the region with heavy rain and strong winds, potentially disrupting games scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.
Major League Baseball (MLB) officials have yet to announce any changes to the schedule, leaving both teams and fans in a state of uncertainty. Although MLB has historically shifted games to neutral sites under similar circumstances, no such decisions have been made this time around. Potential rescheduling options, such as moving Thursday’s game to Monday or arranging a doubleheader, are no longer viable.
Tuesday's series opener, which saw the Braves triumph 5-1 in front of 40,103 fans at Truist Park, highlighted the high stakes of this series. The Braves trail the Arizona Diamondbacks by just half a game for the third wild-card slot, while the Mets hold a half-game lead over Arizona and a one-game advantage over Atlanta. The outcome of these games could significantly impact the standings as the regular season nears its end.
Despite the looming weather concerns, MLB has decided to maintain the current scheduling setup. This decision has implications not only for the game schedule but also for the logistics involved in hosting such events. Sources reveal that the Braves were anticipating large attendance numbers and did not want to forego the gate receipts or deal with the complexities of reorganizing personnel like security and concession workers.
"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," said sources familiar with the situation.
Both team's schedules make the situation even more complicated. If games are canceled or rescheduled, the Mets could face a grueling travel itinerary, possibly going from Atlanta to Milwaukee, then back to Atlanta, and potentially to the West Coast, all within a single week. Adding to the chaos, the Braves are also set to host the Kansas City Royals over the weekend, which further tightens the schedule.
Spokespeople for MLB, the Braves, and the Mets have all declined to comment on how the current decision was reached and what the next steps might be. "Spokespeople for MLB, the Braves, and the Mets all offered no comment on how this point was reached and what is next."
As the Braves and the Mets anxiously await further updates, the uncertainty looms large over what could be a season-defining series. The implications of potential game cancellations or changes are far-reaching, with playoff aspirations hanging in the balance. For now, the focus remains on navigating the challenges posed by Hurricane Helene and finding a way to play ball, come rain or shine.