Mets-Braves doubleheader: New York, Atlanta vie for final MLB playoff spots

After two games were postponed last week because of Hurricane Helene, the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves play a doubleheader Monday with two playoff spots on the line. Win, and they’re in.

If the Mets or Braves win both games, they’re in the playoffs alongside the Diamondbacks. If they split the doubleheader, they’re both in and the Diamondbacks are out. To break it down a bit further…

Atlanta gets in with a win. The Braves can be only the No. 5 seed.
New York gets in with a win. If the Mets win one Monday, they are the No. 6 seed. If they win both, they are the No. 5 seed.
Arizona gets in if either Atlanta or New York sweeps the doubleheader. The D-backs can be only the No. 6 seed.

How to watch Mets-Braves

Date: Monday, Sept. 30

Time: 1:10 p.m. ET (Game 2 begins approximately 40 minutes after Game 1 ends)

Channel: ESPN2

Location: Truist Park | Atlanta

Follow along with Yahoo Sports for live updates throughout the day in Atlanta.

Live2 updates

Mon, September 30, 2024 at 10:20 AM MDT

Hello from Atlanta, where it’s not quite the postseason, but not quite regular season either. Braves and Mets playing two for playoff spots. Could have the very rare double-locker-room celebration today. pic.twitter.com/Sdpdm0vB77

— Jay Busbee (@jaybusbee) September 30, 2024
Mon, September 30, 2024 at 10:16 AM MDT

How did we get here?

Mother Nature is the simple answer. Rain in Georgia last week left Truist Park unplayable. The league could’ve forced the Braves and Mets to play at a neutral site but opted not to do so. Surely the league was hoping the results over the final weekend of games would make playing the doubleheader Monday unnecessary. Had the Diamondbacks not stormed back for 11 runs on Sunday after going down early against the Padres, MLB would’ve gotten its wish. Arizona would’ve been eliminated with a loss, propelling New York and Atlanta into the October tournament.

A Braves win Sunday would have activated perhaps the most unsavory scenario, in which Atlanta would’ve clinched a wild-card spot but still would’ve had to play New York twice on Monday because the Mets would’ve needed to win both to clinch and eliminate the D-backs.

Thankfully, that’s not how it went down. We’re left with ample mayhem nonetheless.