Braves and Mets Await Decision Amid Hurricane Helene Threat
As of Wednesday afternoon, the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets find themselves in a state of uncertainty, anxiously waiting to see if they can complete their pivotal three-game series at Truist Park. With Hurricane Helene looming menacingly over the region, the threat of heavy rain and strong winds poses a significant risk of disrupting both Wednesday and Thursday’s games.
Major League Baseball (MLB) has yet to announce any changes to the schedule. The league has experience moving games to neutral sites in similar circumstances, but such a decision has not been made in this case. Despite the mounting weather concerns, MLB has decided not to overrule the current scheduling setup, leaving both teams and their fans in suspense.
The logistical challenges of rescheduling are considerable. The league could have moved Thursday’s game to Monday, an off-day for both teams, or even arranged a doubleheader. However, those options are no longer on the table. A doubleheader next Monday remains a potential, albeit complicated, solution.
Tuesday’s series opener, which saw the Braves triumph 5-1 in front of a crowd of 40,103 fans at Truist Park, highlighted the stakes and the logistical considerations involved. “Basically the Braves were expecting large attendance for the three games,” said sources. “(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."
Neither the spokespeople for MLB, the Braves, nor the Mets have commented on how this situation unfolded or what the next steps will be. Their silence only adds to the general air of uncertainty as both teams wait for further updates.
The stakes for these games are particularly high given the current standings. The Braves trail the Arizona Diamondbacks by a mere half-game for the third wild-card slot. Meanwhile, the Mets hold a half-game lead over Arizona and a one-game advantage over Atlanta. The potential cancellation of games could complicate the wild-card race even further, possibly impacting playoff hopes and travel schedules.
The logistical nightmare doesn’t end there. If the Braves and Mets are forced to add a doubleheader next Monday, the Mets could face a grueling travel schedule. They could end up traveling from Atlanta to Milwaukee, back to Atlanta, and potentially to the West Coast within just one week. This level of fatigue could be a significant factor as they move closer to the postseason.
Additionally, the Braves are set to host the Kansas City Royals this upcoming weekend, adding another layer of complexity to any potential scheduling shifts. With so many variables at play, the next few days will be critical in determining how both teams navigate this unpredictability.
Major League Baseball, the Atlanta Braves, and the New York Mets, along with their fans, will be keeping a close watch on the weather forecasts and awaiting any decisions from the league office. For now, the anticipation continues, and the games hang in the balance.