This week, Truist Park will be the center stage for the most pivotal showdown of the 2024 MLB regular season as the Atlanta Braves welcome the New York Mets for a crucial three-game series. With postseason aspirations at stake, the series is set to be an electrifying contest and could dictate the future of both teams.
Both teams face a gauntlet, as one potential postseason spot is up for grabs. Adding to the drama, a potential hurricane looms over the region, complicating an already tense situation. All other National League teams trailing Atlanta have been eliminated from the wild-card race, narrowing the competition to a fierce four-team fight for three cherished postseason spots.
Two years ago, the Braves swept the Mets in the penultimate series of the regular season, snatching the top position in the NL East from their rivals. This history adds another layer of rivalry and stakes to the upcoming series.
Starting Pitchers and Key Matchups
The series kicks off on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 7:20 p.m. ET, featuring a duel between right-handers Luis Severino of the Mets and Spencer Schwellenbach of the Braves. Following this, accomplished left-handers will take the mound: David Peterson faces Chris Sale on Wednesday and Sean Manaea goes up against Max Fried on Thursday.
The Mets have taken advantage of Monday's off-day to shuffle their rotation, pushing Jose Quintana’s start to Friday. Meanwhile, the Braves are gearing up for what promises to be a tactical and tense encounter.
Performance Highlights
In the Braves’ camp, rookie Luisangel Acuña has been nothing short of spectacular at shortstop, hitting .409 with two doubles, a triple, and three home runs since stepping in for the injured Francisco Lindor. Equally impressive, veteran Jose Iglesias has been batting .467 since taking over the leadoff spot and second base duties due to Jeff McNeil’s wrist injury.
Lindor himself remains optimistic about returning this season, though he concedes that playing pain-free might not be an option. “You knew it a couple weeks ago, right? That series is probably gonna help decide this thing,” said Braves' catcher Sean Murphy, capturing the anticipation surrounding these games.
Scenarios and Stakes
Even a clean sweep of the Mets will not assure the Braves a wild-card spot if the Arizona Diamondbacks lose their games against the San Francisco Giants. Should the Mets secure two victories during this series, their postseason berth will be confirmed. However, the Braves wouldn't be immediately eliminated if the Mets win twice; they could still surpass Arizona depending on the outcomes of their final games.
Marcell Ozuna has been in blistering form this September, boasting a slash line of .329/.417/.425, a crucial component to the Braves' offense. On the flip side, JD Martinez and Mark Vientos have struggled this month, while Ramón Laureano and Whit Merrifield have made notable contributions to the Braves’ lineup.
Road Ahead
Post-series, the Mets will travel to Milwaukee for a three-game series against the Brewers, who have already clinched the NL Central and are vying for a Wild Card Series bye. Meanwhile, the Braves will stay at home to face the Kansas City Royals, yet another team entrenched in a tight wild-card race. The significance of these games cannot be overstated, as Game 162 might very well be a win-or-go-home scenario for both the Braves and Royals.
This series promises to be a white-knuckle affair replete with tension, history, and the high stakes of postseason dreams. As both teams strive for excellence under immense pressure, baseball fans everywhere are in for a treat. Whether it’s the resurgent veterans or the blazing rookies, every pitch, swing, and catch at Truist Park will reverberate far beyond the confines of the ballpark.