The Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets embarked on a crucial three-game series on Tuesday night, with high stakes for both teams as they vie for postseason berths. The Mets hold a slender half-game lead in the wild-card race, with the Braves trailing close behind. Amidst this competitive landscape, external factors have come into play as Hurricane Helene threatens to disrupt the series.
The Braves took the upper hand with a win on Tuesday night, but the series remains finely balanced. The Mets can clinch a postseason spot by winning two out of the next three games, a scenario that would allow them to secure their place without depending on other results. Unfortunately for the Braves, this series alone won't be enough to guarantee their postseason berth.
The Weather Factor
The National Hurricane Center upgraded Hurricane Helene to a hurricane in their 11 a.m. Wednesday update, forecasting it to make landfall in Florida on Thursday as a formidable Category 3 storm. As it stands, heavy rains are expected to hit Atlanta starting at 1 p.m. Wednesday, continuing through Friday. The threat includes not just rain but also the possibility of thunderstorms and tornadoes.
MLB has so far made no adjustments to the series schedule as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, according to Mets manager Carlos Mendoza. Thursday's game is still set for a 7:20 p.m. ET start. However, options are on the table to avoid the worst of the storm. One consideration is moving Thursday’s game earlier, potentially to 1 p.m. ET or even 12 p.m. ET. Another possibility is to schedule a doubleheader on Wednesday, taking advantage of Monday's off-day.
Past Precedents
Relocation of entire series due to severe weather has precedent in MLB history. In 2008, the Astros vs. Cubs series was moved to Milwaukee's Miller Park because of Hurricane Ike. More recently, the Rangers vs. Astros series in 2017 was relocated to Tampa's Tropicana Field in response to Hurricane Harvey. Should relocation become necessary for the Braves and Mets, Globe Life Field in Arlington emerges as a potential alternate site.
Logistical Challenges
The logistical challenges extend beyond simply finding a new venue. If the game were postponed to Monday, it would land on the off-day between the end of the regular season and the start of the Wild Card Series. This scenario is only viable if the game is crucial for determining postseason qualification. As a result, both teams might end up playing a 161-game season instead of the standard 162 if rescheduling is deemed unnecessary.
Switching to a neutral site or rescheduling post-regular season is a complex and last-resort consideration. Thus, the most straightforward solutions remain either advancing Thursday's game to earlier in the day or hosting a doubleheader on Wednesday. This not only minimizes disruption but also respects the tight schedules of both teams.
The Braves' travel schedule offers a slight advantage as they do not have to head out immediately after this series. The Mets, in contrast, face a potentially more disruptive schedule after wrapping up this critical series, adding another layer of complexity to any potential adjustments.
Monitoring the Storm
MLB officials continue to closely monitor Hurricane Helene's trajectory. The National Hurricane Center has issued stark warnings, highlighting "life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and flooding rains to a large portion of Florida and the southeastern United States."
The unfolding situation not only underscores the unpredictable nature of baseball but also the resilience and adaptability required of both players and officials. As fans watch closely, the confluence of sportsmanship, strategy, and nature provides a dramatic backdrop to an already tense series.