This week features the most pivotal showdown of the 2024 MLB regular season as the Atlanta Braves host the New York Mets for a high-stakes three-game series at Truist Park. Both teams are locked in a tense battle for a postseason spot, with much on the line and a looming potential hurricane adding to the drama.
All other National League teams behind Atlanta have been eliminated from the wild-card race, leaving Atlanta, New York, and two other teams vying for three coveted postseason spots. The tension has risen to a boil, with the series likely to have significant implications for both teams' playoff futures.
The series commences on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 7:20 p.m. ET, featuring a duel between right-handers Luis Severino of the Mets and Spencer Schwellenbach of the Braves. The matchups only heat up from there, with a pair of accomplished left-handers squaring off on Wednesday: David Peterson faces Chris Sale. The final game of the series on Thursday will see Sean Manaea take on Max Fried.
Strategic Adjustments
In a strategic move, the Mets adjusted their rotation to take advantage of Monday’s off-day, bumping Jose Quintana’s start back to Friday. This change indicates their serious approach to this critical series, looking to optimize their chances of clinching a postseason berth.
Rookie Luisangel Acuña has stepped up impressively at shortstop, boasting a remarkable .409 batting average with two doubles, a triple, and three home runs since replacing the injured Francisco Lindor. In conjunction, veteran Jose Iglesias has been thriving in the leadoff spot and handling second base duties, hitting .467 due to Jeff McNeil’s wrist injury.
Lindor remains hopeful of returning this season but admits he might not be playing pain-free. His potential return could be a morale boost for the Mets if they secure their spot in the postseason.
Playoff Implications
As the series unfolds, even a complete sweep by the Braves will not clinch a wild-card spot outright, particularly if the Arizona Diamondbacks falter in their games against the San Francisco Giants. On the flip side, if the Mets win two games in this series, their ticket to the postseason will be punched.
For the Braves, even if the Mets grab two out of three games, their postseason hopes may still remain alive, contingent on outperforming Arizona in the final stretch. In a comment reflective of the importance of this series, Sean Murphy stated, “You knew it a couple weeks ago, right? That series is probably gonna help decide this thing.”
Key Players and Performances
Marcell Ozuna has been a standout for the Braves in September, slashing .329/.417/.425 and offering consistent offensive production as the season winds down. Conversely, JD Martinez and Mark Vientos have struggled recently, a factor that could be pivotal in such a tightly contested series.
Despite these struggles, Ramón Laureano and Whit Merrifield have provided contributions to Atlanta’s lineup, adding depth as the team looks to make a final push for the playoffs.
Upcoming Challenges
Following this critical series, the Mets will head to Milwaukee to face the Brewers. With the Brewers having already clinched the NL Central, they are now looking to secure a Wild Card Series bye, posing another tough challenge for New York.
The Braves will stay home to host the Kansas City Royals in a three-game series. The Royals are also in a tight wild-card race, indicating that Game 162 could become a win-or-go-home situation for both teams.
As fans brace for an intense week of baseball, each play, pitch, and decision will carry amplified significance. The stakes have never been higher for the Braves and Mets, and by the end of this series, the path to the postseason will be much clearer for both squads.