We’ve reached the final day of a wild weekend of baseball, and for the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets, everything comes down to a dramatic doubleheader in Atlanta. After both teams battled fiercely over the past few days, they now face a make-or-break moment that will determine which two teams clinch the last postseason berths and who will see their season come to a heartbreaking end.
If you’ve been living under a rock or blissfully unaware of just how high the stakes are, let’s break it down:
- If the Braves and Mets split the doubleheader: Atlanta heads to San Diego, New York will go to Milwaukee, and Arizona stays home with their season over.
- If the Braves sweep the Mets: Atlanta heads to San Diego, and the Diamondbacks book their tickets to Milwaukee.
- If the Mets sweep the Braves: The Mets fly to San Diego, and Arizona meets Milwaukee in the postseason.
Game 1 kicks off with Spencer Schwellenbach taking the mound for Atlanta. This young pitcher has been a revelation for the Braves in 2024, particularly against the Mets. In two starts against New York this season, Schwellenbach has been nothing short of spectacular. Across 14 innings, he’s allowed just five hits, one earned run and struck out 15 batters. His performance has been nearly flawless, and if he can replicate even a portion of that dominance today, the Braves could be in for a much less stressful day.
On the other side, the Mets will send Tylor Megill to the hill for Game 1. Megill has enjoyed a breakout year, significantly improving from his 2023 campaign. Over his past five starts, he’s allowed one run or fewer in four of them. However, his one blip came against Boston on September 4, where he struggled. Even more telling is his performance against Atlanta earlier this season. On July 27, the Braves lit him up for four runs and three homers over six innings. The Braves would gladly take a repeat of that effort today.
If Atlanta takes care of business in Game 1, they can breathe a little easier. But if the Mets steal the first game, it’s all hands on deck for Game 2, where the Braves will likely turn to Chris Sale. Sale has been sensational in 2024, with a Cy Young-worthy season that has redefined his career. Should he need to pitch in Game 2, Sale will be eager to deliver one last heroic performance, just as he did against the Mets back in July when he struck out nine over seven innings. A strong showing from Sale could send the Braves into the postseason and leave the Mets wondering what could have been.
The Mets, meanwhile, are likely to counter with Luis Severino in Game 2. While Severino has revived his career with the Mets, he’s struggled against the Braves, particularly in his last outing on September 24. In that game, Severino gave up four runs in just four innings. If the Braves can get to him early again, they might be packing their bags for San Diego before the day is over.
This doubleheader has all the makings of a classic showdown, with each team fighting tooth and nail for their postseason lives. Game 1 is critical. Both teams know a split guarantees them a playoff spot, so expect a straight-up battle in the opener. But if one team sweeps, the heartbreak will be palpable, especially knowing the other team may hit the brakes once they’ve secured their place in October.
The stakes couldn’t be higher, and Atlanta’s strategy is clear: lean on Spencer Schwellenbach in Game 1 and, if necessary, unleash Chris Sale in Game 2 of the doubleheader. With October hanging in the balance, both teams need just one win to punch their ticket.
