Atlanta Braves and New York Mets Stand By Amidst Hurricane Helene Threat
As Wednesday afternoon rolls by, tension mounts for the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets. The teams are on tenterhooks, with their highly anticipated three-game series at Truist Park facing potential upheaval due to Hurricane Helene.
The severe weather, characterized by heavy rain and strong winds, threatens to wash out Wednesday and Thursday’s games. Despite these ominous conditions, Major League Baseball (MLB) has not announced any alterations to the current schedule, leaving players, fans, and officials in a state of uncertainty.
Historically, the league has adjusted schedules and venues in the face of natural disasters, sometimes moving games to neutral sites. Yet, in this instance, such measures have not been implemented. The prospect of rescheduling Thursday’s game to Monday, an off-day for both teams, was also floated. Additionally, a doubleheader could have been arranged to mitigate the scheduling disruption. However, MLB has decided to stick with the existing schedule.
Despite weather concerns, Tuesday's opener witnessed a packed Truist Park, with 40,103 fans turning out to support their teams. The Braves triumphed in this bout, securing a 5-1 victory. The significant turnout highlighted the stakes and excitement surrounding this series, underlined by the ongoing wild-card race.
The logistical complications of changing the schedule extend beyond the games themselves. “Basically the Braves were expecting large attendance for the three games 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,” one source explained. This underscores the complexity and ripple effects of any potential rescheduling decisions.
For both teams, the implications of these games are pivotal. The Braves are trailing the Arizona Diamondbacks by just half a game for the third wild-card spot. Meanwhile, the Mets hold a half-game lead over Arizona and are one game ahead of Atlanta. Thus, any game cancellations could significantly alter the dynamics of the race for the playoffs.
The possibility of a doubleheader next Monday, the designated off-day before the Wild Card Series, poses further complications. This scheduling scenario would stretch the Mets travel plans, potentially having them dash from Atlanta to Milwaukee and back, before possibly heading to the west coast all within a single week—a logistical nightmare for any team, especially given the high-stakes nature of late-season games.
In the meantime, the Braves have additional responsibilities, hosting the Kansas City Royals over the upcoming weekend, which adds another layer of complexity to their scheduling puzzle.
"Spokespeople for MLB, the Braves, and the Mets all offered no comment on how this point was reached and what is next," highlighting the uncertainty that still lingers.
As it stands, both teams and their fans must brace for the potential disruptions that Hurricane Helene may bring, with the hope of a clearer path forward emerging sooner rather than later.