This week, Truist Park will be the epicenter of the MLB universe as the Atlanta Braves welcome the New York Mets for a three-game showdown laden with postseason implications. The stakes couldn't be higher, with both teams vying for a precious spot in the playoffs.
While other National League teams have fallen by the wayside, the Braves and Mets find themselves in a four-team tussle for three coveted postseason positions. As if the on-field drama wasn't enough, a potential hurricane is threatening to add more uncertainty to an already tense series.
The Braves and Mets have a history of high-stakes encounters. Two years ago, the Braves swept the Mets in the penultimate series of the regular season, stripping New York of their NL East lead. This year’s series could be just as defining.
Game Lineups and Key Matchups
The action kicks off on Tuesday, September 24, at 7:20 p.m. ET, featuring a showdown between right-handers Luis Severino for the Mets and Spencer Schwellenbach for the Braves. The next games offer tantalizing matchups of high-caliber left-handers: David Peterson versus Chris Sale on Wednesday, followed by Sean Manaea against Max Fried on Thursday.
The Mets have made strategic adjustments to their pitching rotation, utilizing Monday's off-day to push Jose Quintana’s start back to Friday. This reshuffling highlights the importance of the series and the emphasis on strategic matchups.
Rising Stars and Veteran Stewards
The Mets have found unexpected heroes in rookie Luisangel Acuña, who has been exceptional at shortstop, batting .409 with two doubles, a triple, and three home runs since stepping in for Francisco Lindor. Speaking of Lindor, he remains hopeful of a return this season, albeit acknowledging he might not play pain-free.
Veteran Jose Iglesias has filled in admirably at second base and leadoff spot, posting a stellar .467 batting average due to Jeff McNeil’s wrist injury. Iglesias’ performance will be crucial to the Mets’ chances as they seek to clinch their postseason berth.
On the Braves’ side, Marcell Ozuna has been tearing it up in September, slashing an impressive .329/.417/.425. However, the contributions have been relatively uneven across the lineup, with JD Martinez and Mark Vientos submitting less impactful performances this month. Ramón Laureano and Whit Merrifield have stepped up to support the Braves’ offensive efforts in September.
Postseason Scenarios
The permutations for postseason qualification are complex. Even a Braves’ sweep of the Mets won’t automatically secure a wild-card spot for Atlanta, especially if the Arizona Diamondbacks falter against the San Francisco Giants. Conversely, the Mets can punch their ticket to the postseason with a two-game win in this series.
The situation remains fluid for the Braves as well. A loss of two games to the Mets wouldn't spell immediate elimination; they could still leapfrog Arizona depending on the outcomes of the remaining games. This series is critical, but the final nails will be hammered in over the weekend.
A Tale of Two Battlegrounds
After this high-stakes series, the Mets will head to Milwaukee to face the Brewers, who have already clinched the NL Central. The Brewers are now focused on securing a Wild Card Series bye, which adds another layer of complexity to the Mets' journey.
The Braves will remain at home for a three-game set against the Kansas City Royals, who are also navigating a tight wild-card race. This series could very well come down to Game 162, potentially setting up a win-or-go-home scenario for both teams.
Voices from the Dugout
The impending showdown has everyone on edge. As Braves catcher Sean Murphy aptly put it, “You knew it a couple weeks ago, right? That series is probably gonna help decide this thing.” The atmosphere is charged, the stakes are clear, and both teams know that the next few days could define their seasons.
As the first pitch draws near, all eyes will be on Truist Park. In a season full of ebbs and flows, one thing is certain: the Braves and Mets are ready for battle, leaving everything on the field in their quest for postseason glory.