MLB Fans Ripping League For Braves vs. Mets Scheduling Decision
09/25/2024 05:58 PM
Hurricane Helene has halted an MLB series with massive playoff implications.
The New York Mets and Atlanta Braves are among three teams fighting for the National League's final two wild card spots. Tuesday's 5-1 win pulled the Braves to one game behind the Mets entering their next two games. However, both of those crucial matchups must wait.
Heavy rain struck Georgia on Wednesday, and Helene is expected to strengthen into a Category 3 or higher hurricane on Thursday. After delaying a seemingly inevitable choice, the Braves postponed both games approximately two hours before Wednesday's scheduled 7:20 p.m. ET start time.
Atlanta and New York will instead play a doubleheader on Monday. One or both of those teams then must travel to start a Wild Card series (potentially at San Diego) the next day.
Fans bashed MLB and the Braves for mishandling a now extremely unfavorable situation for both teams.
"What a dumb decision that was entirely avoidable by playing early," a fan wrote.
"Such a joke. Classic MLB incompetence," podcaster Bryce Gelman declared. "How this is even a possibility is beyond me."
"This is so pathetic," a fan said. "Whichever team gets in is at a massive disadvantage. Unbelievable."
"This was a masterclass in how to screw up from MLB and the Braves organization," Mets'Up podcast host James Schiano wrote. "They ignored an obvious problem, didn't seek a meaningful solution, and now stuck forcing two teams to play a do-or-die doubleheader the day before the playoffs. What an absolute joke all around."
Nobody was blindsided by the likelihood of rain preventing the Mets and Braves from playing these games. They had time to prepare a Plan B, such as moving to a neutral location or using a shared Monday off to squeeze in one or two of those matchups.
The Mets will travel to Milwaukee, a potential playoff opponent, to start a three-game series on Friday before flying back to Atlanta for Monday's doubleheader. On the bright side, star shortstop Francisco Lindor has two extra days to recover from a back injury that's sidelined him since Sept. 15.
Meanwhile, the Braves will stay home to host the Kansas City Royals. Scheduled to start Wednesday, NL Cy Young favorite Chris Sale will presumably take the mound on Friday instead.
Every other MLB team is scheduled to finish its season Sunday, but the Mets and Braves will play two on Monday with their seasons likely on the line. The first game starts at 1:10 p.m. ET, and the next game will begin approximately 40 minutes after the last out.
Related: Hurricane Helene Is Causing Major Problems For The MLB Playoffs
