Braves-Mets Series in Jeopardy as Storms Approach Atlanta
ATLANTA — As storms moved in on Truist Park, the uncertainty surrounding the next two crucial games in the Braves-Mets series loomed large. With a tropical storm potentially developing into a hurricane and projected to pass through Georgia, Major League Baseball was left with no clear contingency plans in case the games are affected.
Local weather forecasts predict rain as early as Wednesday morning, persisting until Friday. Thursday is expected to bring the most severe weather, with Atlanta potentially seeing 5 inches of rain.
The Mets, who lost 5-1 to the Braves on Tuesday, are scheduled to conclude their season’s most significant series over the next two nights. Following Thursday’s game, they are slated to fly to Milwaukee for their final series against the Brewers, beginning on Friday.
The decision-making rests with MLB, who took action to shift Tuesday night’s Tigers-Rays game in Detroit to an afternoon start due to a poor forecast. However, a clear solution for this series remains elusive. MLB is closely monitoring the weather patterns and maintaining communication with both teams.
Various scenarios are being considered:
- Games could be played at some point on Wednesday and Thursday.
- Both games might be moved to Thursday, hoping the worst of the storm bypasses Atlanta.
- The Mets could be required to return to Atlanta on Monday, after the rest of the league’s season concludes, before the wild-card round begins the following day.
- A neutral field might be hastily identified.
“[MLB is] dealing with all that,” said Braves manager Brian Snitker. “We’re going to take that day to day, too. … I remember we came here last time we came off the road. The Dodgers were in town for a huge series, and we had a storm, and then all of a sudden it just turns. These things aren’t predictable.”
The Mets, who are only one game ahead of the Braves, are also anxiously awaiting updates.
“I don’t know. I have no idea,” said manager Carlos Mendoza after the game. “I just checked with David [Stearns] now. He doesn’t know anything.”