A critical series in the 2024 MLB regular season is set to unfold this week at Truist Park, as the Atlanta Braves host the New York Mets for three games. The stakes are high, with only one postseason spot likely available for these National League East rivals. One team is assured of playing in October, while the other’s season may conclude with Game 162 on Sunday. Compounding the tension, a potential hurricane is forecast to affect the area.
In the current National League wild-card standings, all other NL teams behind Atlanta have been eliminated from contention. This leaves a four-team race for the three remaining playoff spots as the end of the season approaches. The upcoming series against the Mets represents the Braves’ best opportunity, possibly their last, to gain significant ground quickly. Meanwhile, the Mets can potentially eliminate the Braves from playoff contention with a strong performance.
Braves catcher Sean Murphy acknowledged the importance of the series over the weekend, stating, “We know what we’re up against and we know what we gotta do.”
Two years prior, the Mets faced the Braves at Truist Park for a pivotal series and were swept, resulting in the loss of their first-place standing in the NL East. The Braves are hoping to replicate that outcome as they vie for a wild-card berth.
Both teams are slated to start their top pitchers during this crucial series, a strategic decision not lost on fans. The Mets adjusted their pitching rotation to set up their best arms against Atlanta. The Braves and Mets both enjoyed an off-day on Monday, allowing their bullpens to rest as the series kicks off on Tuesday.
Here are five key points to consider as this important series approaches:
1. Clinching Scenarios
The Braves cannot secure a postseason berth during this series, even if they achieve a sweep against the Mets and the Arizona Diamondbacks lose their games to the San Francisco Giants. Regardless of the outcome, Atlanta will have to wait until the weekend for any chance at clinching a wild-card spot. For the Mets, the path is clearer: winning two games against the Braves guarantees their place in the postseason.
2. Potential Return of Lindor
New York’s star infielder Francisco Lindor has been sidelined since September 15 due to a persistent back issue that required a facet joint injection. Although he won’t play in Tuesday’s game, he remains hopeful of returning this season. In his absence, rookie Luisangel Acuña has stepped up, boasting impressive stats since stepping into Lindor’s position.
3. Thursday’s Game Makeup
Thursday’s game was rescheduled from an April 10 rainout. Since then, many circumstances have shifted for both teams. Initially, Ronald Acuña Jr. was healthy, while several key players were not yet performing at their best. This makeup game could provide advantages or disadvantages, depending on team lineups and player performances at that time.
4. Players to Watch
As both teams prepare, various players are displaying different levels of performance. Mets players such as Pete Alonso and Francisco Alvarez have been effective throughout September, while others like JD Martinez have struggled. For the Braves, Michael Harris II and Matt Olson have been on a hitting spree, while catchers Sean Murphy and Travis d’Arnaud have faced challenges at the plate.
5. Looking Ahead
This series marks the second-to-last for both teams in the regular season. Following their games against each other, the Mets will face the Milwaukee Brewers, who have already clinched the NL Central, while the Braves will play against the Kansas City Royals. The Royals are also in playoff contention, making that series critical for both teams involved.
As the season draws to a close, the upcoming Braves vs. Mets series looms large, not just for playoff implications, but for the drama it promises in the battle for a coveted postseason spot.