The Major League Baseball schedule prepared for the 2022 season has a notable built-in buffer day on Monday, Sept. 30, designed to offer teams a well-deserved respite before the intensity of the playoff action. However, Mother Nature had other plans, particularly for the Mets and the Braves.
Instead of benefiting from the intended day off, both teams will now find themselves locked in a fierce doubleheader battle, necessitated by the disruptions caused by Hurricane Helene. Originally, Monday was a day off, a chance for players to gear up mentally and physically for the postseason. But the unforeseen delay stemming from the hurricane’s impact has redefined their schedules, and potentially, their destinies.
The Impact of Hurricane Helene
The storm did more than just shift the calendar. The ferocity of Hurricane Helene initially led to the postponement of games slated for Wednesday and Thursday. The weather’s relentless nature forced MLB to revise the schedule, packing two pivotal games into one strenuous day: Monday.
This change in plans has proven controversial, especially for the Braves, who were averse to the idea of rescheduling their games to different locations or alternative times. Despite options like Globe Life Field in Arlington being available — particularly since the Texas Rangers are currently on the road — the defensive lockout orchestrated by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred maintained the games’ original locality. Truist Park, thus, becomes the battlefield for this significant doubleheader.
The Stakes of Monday's Doubleheader
Monday’s outcome is not merely a statistical adjustment. For the Mets and the Braves, every pitch, every swing, every inning will determine their playoff fates. The Mets hold a critical tiebreaker over the Arizona Diamondbacks, providing them a slight cushion. However, the Braves lag just a game behind the Mets, adding pressure and a competitive edge to an already high-stakes scenario.
With both teams having only three games left on the calendar before the added doubleheader, they are in a precarious position. The Braves will also be hosting the Royals at Truist Park in the final stretch. This marathon week, particularly strenuous for the Mets, could see them traversing an intense travel itinerary covering Atlanta, Milwaukee, and likely San Diego, all within a tight six-day frame.
Resiliency and Reluctance
The reluctance from the Braves to change their plans serves as a reminder of the organizational priorities and the logistical challenges that major league teams frequently confront. "Major League Baseball is the boss," aptly characterizes their predicament amidst these unprecedented adjustments.
Rob Manfred’s description of the collective bargaining agreement leading to this season as a "defensive lockout" highlights the underlying tensions and defensive maneuvers that shape the backdrop of these scheduling decisions.
Postseason Implications
Monday's doubleheader is more than a response to a natural disaster; it represents the needle that could sew, or sever, the fabric of these teams’ postseason dreams. There exists a plausible scenario where both the Mets and the Braves secure their places in the postseason, potentially leaving the Diamondbacks in the cold. Such an outcome underscores the critical nature of the forthcoming matchups.
As these teams brace for Monday’s relentless doubleheader, the significance extends beyond a single day’s rest forfeited to Hurricane Helene. It’s the embodiment of the unforeseen twists that make baseball an endlessly captivating sport, where every sudden tempest can refashion the entire postseason landscape.
For the Mets and the Braves, Monday is no longer just a marker on the calendar; it’s a crucible where playoff ambitions will be tested, triumphs earned, and futures decided.