An essential series in the 2024 MLB regular season is set to unfold this week at Truist Park, where the Atlanta Braves will face off against their NL East rivals, the New York Mets. With only one postseason spot potentially available for both teams, the stakes are incredibly high as one team is assured of playing in October while the other could see their season come to an end on Sunday.
In the National League wild-card standings, all teams behind Atlanta have been eliminated from contention. This creates a four-team race for three playoff spots as the season enters its final stretch. The upcoming series against the Mets represents the Braves’ best opportunity to make significant progress in a short amount of time, while the Mets aim to secure a strong hold on a playoff berth by defeating Atlanta.
Braves catcher Sean Murphy acknowledged the significance of the series, noting that it could be a decisive factor in the postseason race. He stated, “We know what we’re up against and we know what we gotta do.”
The Braves are looking to repeat a two-year-old encounter when they swept the Mets at Truist Park, which helped them capture the NL East title. This outcome may be crucial for their wild-card aspirations.
Both teams are set to feature their top pitchers during the series. The Mets utilized their off-day on Monday to adjust their rotation and ensure their best arms face the Braves. Additionally, both teams will benefit from a rested bullpen as the series kicks off.
Key points to note about the series include:
1. **Clinching Scenarios**: Atlanta cannot secure a postseason spot during this series, even with a sweep, as they would need to wait until the weekend in the best-case scenario. However, if the Mets win two of these games, they guarantee themselves a place in the playoffs.
2. **Lindor’s Status**: New York’s star shortstop Francisco Lindor has not played since September 15 due to a back issue but remains optimistic about returning this season. The Mets have performed well in his absence, mainly thanks to rookie Luisangel Acuña, who has excelled at shortstop.
3. **Makeup Game**: The series finale on Thursday was originally slated as a two-game series but now includes a makeup game due to a rainout earlier in the season, creating an interesting dynamic as both teams have changed significantly since then.
4. **Player Performance**: Several players are entering this series on hot and cold streaks. For the Mets, Pete Alonso and Francisco Alvarez have shown strong performances in September, while JD Martinez has struggled significantly. The Braves have enjoyed success from players like Michael Harris II and Matt Olson, while their catchers have had difficulties at the plate.
5. **Looking Ahead**: This Braves vs. Mets series is pivotal for both teams as they head toward the end of the regular season. The Mets will next face the Brewers, who have already clinched their division, while the Braves will confront the Kansas City Royals, who are vying for a playoff spot, making for a tense final stretch of games leading into Game 162.