This week, baseball fans are in for a treat as the Atlanta Braves gear up to host the New York Mets at Truist Park for a decisive three-game series that will likely determine the fate of the postseason for both teams. The stakes couldn't be higher with one potential postseason spot up for grabs, and emotions are running hot as both squads aim to clinch their ticket to October.
The series starts on Tuesday, September 24 at 7:20 p.m. ET, featuring a pitching duel between right-handers Luis Severino of the Mets and Spencer Schwellenbach of the Braves. As the series progresses, more intriguing matchups will take the mound: David Peterson squares off against Chris Sale on Wednesday, followed by Sean Manaea against Max Fried on Thursday. In a strategic move, the Mets used Monday's off-day to push Jose Quintana’s start to Friday, giving their rotation a fresh look for this critical series.
This showdown brings back memories from two years ago when the Braves swept the Mets in the penultimate series of the season, knocking the New York team off their first-place perch in the NL East. With all other National League teams behind Atlanta already eliminated from the wild-card race, the math narrows down to a fierce four-team contest for three treasured postseason positions. As Braves catcher Sean Murphy aptly put it, “You knew it a couple weeks ago, right? That series is probably gonna help decide this thing.”
Both teams enter the series with notable performances. Rookie sensation Luisangel Acuña has stepped up for the Mets, hitting an impressive .409 with two doubles, a triple, and three homers since filling in for Francisco Lindor. Lindor remains optimistic about his return this season, though he’s aware it may not be pain-free. Another standout for the Mets is veteran Jose Iglesias, who has been batting .467 since assuming the leadoff spot and second base duties due to Jeff McNeil’s wrist injury.
For the Braves, several players have made significant contributions. Marcell Ozuna has been red-hot in September, slashing .329/.417/.425, while Ramón Laureano and Whit Merrifield have also bolstered the lineup. Yet, the performances of JD Martinez and Mark Vientos have dipped this month, adding more pressure to the remaining hitters. Even a sweep by the Braves in this series might not secure their wild-card spot if the Arizona Diamondbacks lose their games against the San Francisco Giants. On the other hand, should the Mets win two of the three games, their postseason berth will be sealed. However, even a Mets' series win won’t necessarily eliminate the Braves, who could still surpass Arizona based on the final outcomes of the season.
An additional layer of drama looms with a potential hurricane bearing down on the region. Weather disruptions could add another variable to an already unpredictable series. Following this crucial series, the Mets will head to Milwaukee to face the Brewers, who have clinched the NL Central and are now aiming for a Wild Card Series bye. Meanwhile, the Braves will stay home to host the Kansas City Royals, who are in a tight wild-card race themselves. The regular season's final game, Game 162, might shape up to be a do-or-die situation for both the Braves and Royals, further intensifying the playoff chase.
With so much on the line, the series between the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets promises to be a spectacle filled with high stakes, strategic maneuvers, and individual heroics. Baseball fans will undoubtedly be glued to their seats, watching each pitch and swing with bated breath. As this gripping saga unfolds, one thing is certain: the path to October glory is fraught with challenges, and only the resilient will make it through.