This week showcases a pivotal moment in the 2024 MLB regular season, as the Atlanta Braves host the New York Mets for a decisive three-game series at Truist Park. With a potential postseason spot on the line, the stakes could not be higher for both teams.
Adding an element of unpredictability, a potential hurricane threatens the region, looming over what is already a tense series. All other National League teams trailing behind Atlanta have been eliminated from the wild-card race, focusing the competition on four teams fighting for three precious postseason berths.
Two years ago, the Braves delivered a crushing blow to the Mets by sweeping a penultimate series that knocked New York out of first place in the NL East. This year, the Mets are poised for revenge.
Rotation Strategies and Key Matchups
The series will launch on Tuesday, September 24, at 7:20 p.m. ET with a duel between right-handers Luis Severino of the Mets and Atlanta’s Spencer Schwellenbach. The next two games promise equally compelling matchups, featuring David Peterson against Chris Sale on Wednesday and Sean Manaea versus Max Fried on Thursday.
Adjusting their rotation strategically, the Mets have pushed Jose Quintana’s start back to Friday to better align their aces for crucial games ahead.
Player Contributions and Injuries
The Mets have seen impressive performances from rookie Luisangel Acuña, who has been hitting .409 with two doubles, a triple, and three home runs since stepping in for the injured Francisco Lindor at shortstop. Veteran Jose Iglesias has taken over leadoff and second base duties from wrist-injured Jeff McNeil, batting a blistering .467.
Despite his injury, Lindor remains hopeful for a return this season, though he acknowledges that playing pain-free appears unlikely.
Postseason Implications
For the Braves, even a series sweep over the Mets won’t guarantee a wild-card spot just yet. They’ll need to keep an eye on the Arizona Diamondbacks and their outcomes against the San Francisco Giants. On the other hand, if the Mets win two out of three games, their postseason berth will be assured.
The Braves won't be automatically eliminated if they lose two games to the Mets. They still stand a chance to surpass Arizona depending on the results of the final round of games. The razor-thin margin leaves no room for error but offers a glimmer of hope.
Key Players and Team Dynamics
Marcell Ozuna has been notably hot in September, putting up impressive slash numbers of .329/.417/.425. Meanwhile, the Mets' JD Martinez and Mark Vientos have struggled this month, creating a disparity in offensive momentum for New York.
Ramon Laureano and Whit Merrifield have shown commendable contributions to the Braves’ lineup, further fueling Atlanta’s aspirations.
Following this critical series, the Mets will head to Milwaukee to face the Brewers, who have already secured the NL Central and are eyeing a Wild Card Series bye. The Braves, meanwhile, will stay home for a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals, who are equally embroiled in a tight wild-card race.
Final Showdowns
With the possibility of game 162 turning into a win-or-go-home situation, both teams are bracing for what could be the climax of their 2024 campaigns. The tension is palpable, as Mets' catcher Sean Murphy aptly put it: “You knew it a couple weeks ago, right? That series is probably gonna help decide this thing.”
No matter how the cards fall, this series between the Braves and Mets will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the defining moments of the 2024 MLB season.