This week marks a pivotal moment in the 2024 MLB regular season as the Atlanta Braves host the New York Mets for a crucial three-game series at Truist Park. With one possible postseason spot up for grabs, the stakes are extraordinarily high for both teams.
The Braves and the Mets find themselves in a fierce competition for the remaining postseason berths, with other National League teams behind Atlanta already eliminated from the wild-card race. The scenario creates a four-team showdown vying for three coveted playoff spots.
Adding to the high drama is the weather, with a potential hurricane threatening the region and adding an unpredictable variable to the series. This amplifies the sense of urgency for both teams, especially recalling how two years ago, the Braves swept the Mets in a similar late-season series, causing the Mets to lose their grip on first place in the NL East.
Pitching Matchups
The series kicks off on Tuesday, September 24, at 7:20 p.m. ET, featuring a clash between right-handers Luis Severino of the Mets and Spencer Schwellenbach of the Braves. The subsequent games will showcase matchups between accomplished left-handers: David Peterson will take the mound against Chris Sale on Wednesday, followed by Sean Manaea squaring off against Max Fried on Thursday.
The Mets have strategically adjusted their rotation, using Monday's off-day to push Jose Quintana’s start to Friday. This reshuffling aims to maximize their chances for this crucial series and beyond.
Key Player Performances
Mets rookie Luisangel Acuña has been stellar at shortstop, boasting a .409 average with two doubles, a triple, and three home runs since stepping in for Francisco Lindor. Veteran Jose Iglesias has also been exceptional, hitting .467 since taking over the leadoff spot and second base duties due to Jeff McNeil’s wrist injury. Lindor remains optimistic about a return this season, although he acknowledged that he is unlikely to play pain-free.
On the Braves' roster, Marcell Ozuna has been impressive in September with a slash line of .329/.417/.425. Meanwhile, JD Martinez and Mark Vientos have struggled this month, failing to provide the offensive spark needed. However, contributions from Ramón Laureano and Whit Merrifield have bolstered the Braves' lineup during this critical period.
Postseason Implications
Even if the Braves sweep the Mets, it won't guarantee them a wild-card spot this series, especially if the Arizona Diamondbacks falter in their games against the San Francisco Giants. On the other hand, if the Mets manage to win two games in this series, they will secure their postseason ticket. For the Braves, losing two games to the Mets doesn’t spell inevitable elimination; they could still surpass Arizona depending on the outcomes of the final games of the season.
“You knew it a couple weeks ago, right? That series is probably gonna help decide this thing,” remarked Sean Murphy, capturing the sentiment surrounding this high-stakes showdown.
What's Next
Following this crucial series, the Mets will head to Milwaukee to face the Brewers. Milwaukee has already clinched the NL Central and is focused on securing a Wild Card Series bye. Meanwhile, the Braves will remain at home for a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals, another team embroiled in a tight wild-card race. This sets up the potential for Game 162 to be a win-or-go-home scenario for both the Braves and the Royals.
As the series unfolds at Truist Park, each pitch, swing, and defensive play will be scrutinized, adding layers of intensity and anticipation for what promises to be a defining moment in the 2024 MLB season.