This week, all eyes in Major League Baseball will be on Truist Park as the Atlanta Braves host the New York Mets for a pivotal three-game series that could very well determine postseason fates. With the Braves and Mets locked in a fierce battle, only one potential wild-card spot remains up for grabs, setting the stage for high drama in Atlanta.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Not only are both teams vying for a postseason berth, but they're also racing against time as a potential hurricane looms over the region, threatening to disrupt the proceedings. The situation has boiled down to a four-team fight for three coveted postseason spots, with all other National League teams behind Atlanta already eliminated from the wild-card race.
A History of High-Stakes Showdowns
Two years ago, in a similar late-season series, the Braves swept the Mets in the penultimate series, causing New York to lose their grip on first place in the NL East. The Mets will undoubtedly have that painful memory in the back of their minds as they take the field on Tuesday night. The series will begin at 7:20 p.m. ET with a standout pitching duel between right-handers Luis Severino of the Mets and Spencer Schwellenbach of the Braves.
Star-Studded Pitching Matchups
The excitement continues on Wednesday and Thursday with matchups between accomplished left-handers: David Peterson will face Chris Sale on Wednesday, followed by Sean Manaea squaring off against Max Fried on Thursday. The Mets shuffled their rotation, taking advantage of Monday's off-day to push back Jose Quintana’s start to Friday, possibly a strategic move to ensure their best arms are ready for the playoffs.
Key Contributors Stepping Up
The Braves have benefitted from standout performances by several key players. Rookie sensation Luisangel Acuña has been nothing short of remarkable at shortstop, hitting .409 with two doubles, a triple, and three home runs since stepping in for the injured Francisco Lindor. Veteran Jose Iglesias has also risen to the occasion, batting .467 since assuming the leadoff spot and second base duties due to Jeff McNeil’s wrist injury.
On the Mets' side, Marcell Ozuna has had a red-hot September, slashing .329/.417/.425. However, not all the news is rosy for New York, as both JD Martinez and Mark Vientos have struggled this month. In contrast, Ramón Laureano and Whit Merrifield have made valuable contributions to the Braves' lineup as they aim to push through to the postseason.
Postseason Implications
Despite the high stakes, even a series sweep by the Braves would not clinch a wild-card spot for them, especially if the Arizona Diamondbacks falter in their games against the San Francisco Giants. Conversely, if the Mets can manage to win two games in this series, their postseason ticket will be virtually punched. "You knew it a couple weeks ago, right? That series is probably gonna help decide this thing,” Braves catcher Sean Murphy aptly summarized the gravity of the situation.
Interestingly, the Braves won't necessarily be eliminated if the Mets win two games. They could still surpass Arizona depending on the outcomes of the final games. The Mets are set to head to Milwaukee to face the Brewers after this series. The Brewers have already clinched the NL Central and are looking to secure a Wild Card Series bye, adding another layer of complexity to the Mets' final stretch.
The Braves, meanwhile, will remain at home for a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals, who are also embroiled in a tight wild-card race. All these factors suggest that Game 162 could become a win-or-go-home situation for both the Braves and Royals, making the final days of the regular season a thrilling spectacle for baseball fans.