This week sees a pivotal showdown in the 2024 MLB regular season as the Atlanta Braves host the New York Mets for a crucial three-game series at Truist Park. With one possible postseason spot hanging in the balance, the stakes couldn't be higher for both teams.
A potential hurricane bearing down on the region adds another layer of urgency to an already charged atmosphere. All other National League teams trailing Atlanta have been eliminated from the wild-card race, narrowing the hunt to a four-team fight for three coveted postseason spots.
The Road to the Showdown
Two years ago, the Braves swept the Mets in the penultimate series of the regular season, causing the Mets to lose their grip on first place in the NL East. This history adds a layer of emotional intensity to what is already set to be a dramatic series. “You knew it a couple weeks ago, right? That series is probably gonna help decide this thing,” said Sean Murphy, encapsulating the high stakes of the matchup.
The series kicks off on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 7:20 p.m. ET with a duel between right-handers Luis Severino of the Mets and Spencer Schwellenbach of the Braves. The next two games feature contests between accomplished left-handers: David Peterson against Chris Sale on Wednesday and Sean Manaea versus Max Fried on Thursday. To optimize their rotation, the Mets used Monday's off-day to shift Jose Quintana’s start to Friday.
Player Performances and Adjustments
The Braves have had stellar individual performances, with rookie Luisangel Acuña excelling at shortstop, hitting .409 with two doubles, a triple, and three home runs since stepping in for Francisco Lindor. On another note, veteran Jose Iglesias has been batting an impressive .467 since assuming the leadoff spot and second base duties due to Jeff McNeil’s wrist injury. Lindor remains optimistic about his return this season, though he acknowledges it will be challenging to play pain-free.
Marcell Ozuna has been solid in September, slashing .329/.417/.425. Conversely, JD Martinez and Mark Vientos have struggled this month, leading to a need for other players like Ramón Laureano and Whit Merrifield to step up in the Braves’ lineup.
What It Means for the Postseason
What’s at stake? Even a sweep of the Mets will not automatically clinch a wild-card spot for the Braves, especially if the Arizona Diamondbacks lose their games against the San Francisco Giants. The battle for postseason spots is that tight. Should the Mets win two of the three games in this series, they will punch their postseason ticket, while the Braves won’t necessarily be eliminated, depending on how Arizona performs in their final games.
The Road Ahead
Following this monumental series, the Mets will head to Milwaukee to face the Brewers, who have clinched the NL Central and are now looking to secure a Wild Card Series bye. Meanwhile, the Braves remain home for a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals, another team in a tight wild-card race. The final game of the regular season, Game 162, could very well be a win-or-go-home situation for both the Braves and Royals.
With postseason spots hanging by a thread and high-drama matchups on the horizon, this series at Truist Park is not just another set of games—it's a possible prelude to October glory for one and offseason despair for the other. Baseball fans, get ready for a thrilling ride.