Scoreboard Watching: Sept 30, Mets @ Braves

Game 161 10a: Mets' TBD @ Braves' Schwellenbach
Game 162 after game 161: TBD vs. TBD

Hurricane Helene ravaged the southeast last week, and it also did a number on the 2024 baseball schedule, postponing two more games between the Mets and the Braves until today, the day after the last game of the season.

Both the Mets and the Braves are in contention for the postseason, with the Diamondbacks poised to slip on into the playoffs (as the #6 seed), if either team is swept. But no matter what the outcome, it means that both teams will come into the their Wild Card series with little rest, which is even more impactful for the Dodgers since the #5 seed will face the Padres in a best-of-three.

The Padres will likely emerge victorious from that series, particularly if the team has had to expend all of its effort and best arms in these two games. This would set the Dodgers up for a tricky NLDS against a division rival who has had our number this year.

So as Dodger fans, we need to root for Atlanta to win the first game (where they start Schwellenbach), which guarantees the Braves earn the #5 seed and play the #4 seed Padres. In that scenario, they won't have to throw Chris Sale, and can instead hold him to start the following day against San Diego. If Atlanta loses the first game, then they have to win for a berth.

Of course, conspiracy theorists are already assuming that the Mets and Braves will cut a backroom deal to split the two-game bill, so that they both go to the playoffs and the Diamondbacks miss out. That would assume the Mets and Braves, division rivals, would agree to a deal--seems crazy to me (though I admit that it's the most likely outcome, in my estimation).

I'll be watching at 10a tomorrow! This is nuts!