This week signals a pivotal showdown in Major League Baseball as the Atlanta Braves host the New York Mets for a critical three-game series at Truist Park. With a potential postseason spot hanging in the balance, both teams find themselves in a high-pressure battle.
Adding to the intensity, a potential hurricane is looming over the region, threatening to add a layer of unpredictability to the series. For the National League, the stakes couldn't be higher. All teams trailing Atlanta have been eliminated from the wild-card race, narrowing the competition down to a four-team fight for three prized postseason spots.
The history between these two teams only heightens the drama. 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 series could evoke similar emotions and consequences.
Pitching Matchups
The series starts Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 7:20 p.m. ET, spotlighting a duel between right-handers Luis Severino of the Mets and Spencer Schwellenbach of the Braves. On Wednesday, the mound will feature left-handers David Peterson against Chris Sale, followed by Sean Manaea versus Max Fried on Thursday. The Mets have strategically used Monday's off-day to adjust their rotation, delaying Jose Quintana’s start to Friday.
Key Players and Recent Performances
While the Braves have seen solid performances from several players, rookie Luisangel Acuña has been stellar at shortstop, sporting a .409 batting average with two doubles, a triple, and three home runs since stepping in for Francisco Lindor. Veteran Jose Iglesias has been no slouch, either, batting .467 in the leadoff spot while filling in for the injured Jeff McNeil.
Lindor remains optimistic about returning this season, though he admits he’s unlikely to play pain-free. This could prove to be a critical development as the Braves navigate their remaining games.
Even with a potential sweep of the Mets, the Braves cannot clinch a wild-card spot this series, especially if the Arizona Diamondbacks falter against the San Francisco Giants. However, the Mets can solidify their postseason berth by winning two out of the three games.
The Braves aren't necessarily out of the race if they drop the series; they could still surpass Arizona depending on the outcomes of the final games. Atlanta's lineup has showcased both strengths and struggles in September. Marcell Ozuna has been impressive, slashing .329/.417/.425, while JD Martinez and Mark Vientos have faced difficulties. Contributions from Ramón Laureano and Whit Merrifield have also bolstered the Braves’ lineup during this critical stretch.
The Road Ahead
Following this series, the Mets will travel to Milwaukee to face the Brewers. The Brewers, having clinched the NL Central, are pursuing a Wild Card Series bye, adding another layer of intrigue to the Mets' schedule.
The Braves, on the other hand, will stay home for a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals. Notably, the Royals are also in a tight wild-card race, which could set the stage for a high-stakes Game 162, potentially becoming a win-or-go-home situation for both the Braves and Royals.
Reflecting on the gravity of the series, Sean Murphy remarked, “You knew it a couple weeks ago, right? That series is probably gonna help decide this thing.” Murphy's sentiment resonates as fans and players alike brace for what promises to be one of the defining moments of the 2024 MLB season.