As Hurricane Helene advances towards the southeastern United States, it looms large over the crucial three-game series between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets. Both teams entered the series with postseason aspirations hanging in the balance, the Mets holding a slender half-game lead for a wild-card spot and the Braves trailing closely behind. The stakes intensified when the Braves clinched a victory in the opening game on Tuesday night.
Series Stakes and Weather Concerns
The outcome of this series could shape the postseason landscape. The Mets, by winning two out of the next three games, would secure their postseason berth. However, the Braves, although looking to outplay the Mets in this series, cannot cement their postseason spot with just these games. Such high stakes heighten the drama, already amplified by impending adverse weather conditions.
On Wednesday morning, Hurricane Helene was officially upgraded to a hurricane by the National Hurricane Center. The storm is forecasted to make landfall in Florida on Thursday as a Category 3 storm, bringing life-threatening conditions to the region. Heavy rains are set to begin in Atlanta by 1 p.m. on Wednesday, continuing through Friday, accompanied by thunderstorms and potential tornadoes.
"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, encapsulating the magnitude of the threat posed by Hurricane Helene.
Possible Schedule Adjustments
Given these dire weather forecasts, the viability of completing the series as scheduled is under scrutiny. Mets' manager, Carlos Mendoza, shared his anticipation by noting, "As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, we had not received any word from MLB regarding schedule changes."
With Thursday's game slated for a 7:20 p.m. ET start, Major League Baseball is exploring multiple scenarios to mitigate the impact of the storm. Options under consideration include moving Thursday's game to an earlier time slot, potentially 1 p.m. ET or 12 p.m. ET. Another strategic move could involve scheduling a doubleheader on Wednesday, taking advantage of Monday's off-day as a buffer.
Historical Precedents and Contingency Plans
The league has a precedent for relocating entire series due to severe weather. The 2008 Astros vs. Cubs games were moved to Milwaukee’s Miller Park in response to Hurricane Ike, and the 2017 Rangers vs. Astros series was relocated to Tampa’s Tropicana Field due to Hurricane Harvey. For the Braves and Mets, Globe Life Field in Arlington stands out as a potential emergency venue if relocation becomes necessary.
MLB officials face intricate logistics should they opt to postpone Thursday's game to Monday, which would intersect with the off-day before the postseason's Wild Card Series begins. Such a move would only transpire if that game proves essential for determining postseason spots. In less significant scenarios, both teams may find themselves playing a 161-game season instead of the traditional 162 games.
Balancing the logistics also includes considering the teams’ travel plans. The Braves are fortunate as they do not need to travel immediately following this series. Conversely, the Mets face a tight schedule that could be significantly disrupted by unforeseen delays or additional travel.
Looking Forward
The simplicity and efficiency of either rescheduling Thursday's game to an earlier time or playing a Wednesday doubleheader make these options compelling. As Hurricane Helene's path continues to be monitored closely by MLB officials, swift and decisive actions are paramount to preserve the integrity of the series and ensure player safety.
As both teams brace for consequential games and the looming hurricane, their resilience will be tested on and off the field. The drama surrounding the Braves and Mets series has transcended sports, becoming a testament to adaptability amid natural adversities.