Braves and Mets Await Decision as Hurricane Helene Threatens Crucial Series
As of Wednesday afternoon, the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets are facing an uncertain future. Both teams are in a holding pattern, anxiously waiting to see if they can complete their crucial three-game series at Truist Park, which has become imperiled by the looming threat of Hurricane Helene. The powerful storm is predicted to bring with it heavy rain and strong winds, putting Wednesday and Thursday’s games at significant risk of cancellation.
So far, Major League Baseball (MLB) has refrained from announcing any changes to the schedule, leaving players, staff, and fans in suspense. In past seasons, the league has opted to move games to neutral sites when faced with similar weather challenges, but no such decision has been communicated this time around.
The MLB had a few potential options for managing this situation. They could have rescheduled Thursday’s game to Monday, an off-day for both teams, or even arranged a doubleheader to ensure that the games were played. However, these alternatives are no longer viable as the storm barrels down on the region.
Tuesday’s series opener, which saw 40,103 fans fill Truist Park, went off without any weather-related issues and resulted in a 5-1 victory for Atlanta. Despite the worsening forecast, the decision-makers in the MLB have so far chosen not to overrule the current scheduling setup, leaving both teams—and their fans—on edge.
Should the games be postponed, one possible contingency plan includes a doubleheader on the following Monday, the designated off-day between the end of the regular season and the start of the Wild Card Series. This solution, while potentially practical, presents its own challenges. For the Mets, this would mean traveling from Atlanta to Milwaukee, then back to Atlanta, and potentially onward to the west coast—all within a single week. The Braves, meanwhile, are also scheduled to host the Kansas City Royals this coming weekend, further complicating any rescheduling efforts.
The stakes for these games are incredibly high given the current standings. The Braves trail the Arizona Diamondbacks by a mere half-game for the third wild-card slot, while the Mets hold a half-game lead over Arizona and a one-game advantage over Atlanta. Any game cancellations could greatly affect the playoff picture.
A source close to the Braves shared, "Basically the Braves were expecting large attendance for the three games...and did not want to forego the gates nor work through the logistics of moving personnel such as security, concessionaires, etc., to other dates or start times."
When approached for comments, spokespeople for MLB, the Braves, and the Mets offered no further details on how this situation has evolved and what steps might be taken next if Hurricane Helene forces the cancellation of the games. Their silence only adds to the anxiety permeating both teams' fanbases, who are desperate for any information that could clarify what lies ahead.
Ultimately, the decision on whether the Braves and Mets will play out their series as scheduled rests in the hands of MLB officials. As the storm approaches, the league’s next move remains uncertain, leaving everyone involved to hope for a resolution that fairly balances competitive integrity with safety considerations.