Crucial Braves-Mets series creates conundrum with Hurricane Ian approaching
By John Buhler
The Atlanta Braves’ final home series vs. the New York Mets may be impacted by Hurricane Ian.
In the biggest series of the season for both teams, the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets will have to navigate Hurricane Ian the best they can.
Atlanta (96-58) is one game back of New York (97-57) in the NL East standings. Although these bitter rivals have already clinched postseason berths, the winner of the division will secure the No. 2 seed in the National League. This means the NL East winner will get a first-round bye into the NLDS, while the loser will be the No. 4 seed and might host the San Diego Padres in the NLWCS.
Given that Hurricane Ian will be bringing nasty weather to northwest Georgia this weekend, it is hard to see the most crucial three-game series being played in its entirety, and on time, in Atlanta.
It will be interesting what #MLB decides to do with this #Mets/#Braves series in ATL this weekend. They can't afford to have even one game rained out, let alone more. Of course, they can't move the games to the northeast - that would give the #Mets a home field advantage of sorts
— Michael Baron (@michaelgbaron) September 26, 2022
While Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas makes some sense as a possible last-minute neutral-site location, keep in mind that Elton John is playing there on Friday night. The closest stadium to Truist Park is Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. Fate would have it the Cincinnati Reds are on the road this weekend, as they will be playing a meaningless series at Wrigley vs. the Chicago Cubs.
There is availability in Arlington, Texas, assuming there are no other events scheduled at Globe Life Field. And rain wouldn't be a factor there no matter what with the roof. Its also as neutral a site as there can be for both teams (as unfair as it may be for the Braves).
— Michael Baron (@michaelgbaron) September 26, 2022
Because there will be no Game 163’s this year, Atlanta has to sweep the Mets this weekend to win the head-to-head tiebreaker. Otherwise, the Braves will have to beat out New York by a full game to win the division. For Atlanta to win its fifth straight NL East crown, the Braves will have to play two games better than the Mets over the course of the final eight games of the regular season.
Atlanta Braves vs. New York Mets series could be impacted by Hurricane Ian
Although the Braves could technically play the final three games vs. their biggest rival at Citi Field, that needs to be a last resort sort of approach. While the Mets could try and make it a private event to create somewhat of a home-field advantage for the Braves, good look with that. Not having The Battery on the Braves’ side is a massive part in this entire postseason race conundrum.
Realistically, the Braves and the Mets are two of four teams who can honestly win the World Series. There may be New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals truthers out there, but it would be shocking at this point if Atlanta, New York, the Houston Astros or the Los Angeles Dodgers are not raising the Commissioner’s Trophy at postseason’s end. The NL pennant race will be a bloodbath…
The good news for Atlanta’s other teams is they will not be as impacted by the hurricane as much. Georgia plays at Missouri. Georgia Tech is at Pittsburgh. Georgia State is at Army. Atlanta United is in Foxborough. Although the Atlanta Falcons will be hosting the Cleveland Browns on Sunday afternoon, the Dirty Birds play in a dome. It may be nasty outside, but it should be fine in The Benz.
No matter what Mother Nature throws their way, the best solution for the Braves is to win out.
Related Story. 3 reasons the Atlanta Braves can’t afford to lose the NL East. light