The stakes couldn’t be higher as the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves gear up for a doubleheader that could make or break their postseason hopes. With 160 games behind them, everything now rides on these final two contests in Atlanta. After the devastation caused by last week’s hurricane, which forced a rescheduling of these crucial matchups, both teams are primed to leave it all on the field.
The scenarios are pretty straightforward. If the Braves and Mets split the doubleheader, both will clinch playoff spots and head into the National League postseason. However, if one of these teams gets swept, the Arizona Diamondbacks will swoop in and steal a playoff berth from the team that falters.
Spencer Schwellenbach kicks us off in Game 1 of the doubleheader, showing us how much faith Snit has in the rookie. Atlanta is holding back their ace, Cy Young frontrunner Chris Sale, hoping they won’t need him in this doubleheader. If they win Game 1, they’ll save Sale for the wild-card opener, giving them a massive edge in the playoffs. However, if they lose, Sale will be their emergency plan, forced into action for a do-or-die Game 2.
This 24-year-old rookie has been making waves since his debut in late May, and he’s got stats that prove he’s ready for the pressure. In his first 20 career appearances, Schwellenbach struck out 122 batters while walking only 23—an impressive ratio, putting him in elite company.
He’s one of just a few pitchers since 1901 to log over 120 strikeouts with fewer than 25 walks in his first 20 appearances. In fact, he joins the likes of Masahiro Tanaka (2014) and Stephen Strasburg (2010-2012) in that rare statistical feat according to MLB.com‘s Sarah Langs. This season, Schwellenbach has posted an 8-7 record with a solid 3.47 ERA, making him a promising choice for a game with so much on the line.
120+ strikeouts & fewer than 25 walks in 1st 20 career app, since 1901:
2024 Spencer Schwellenbach: 122 K, 23 BB
2014 Masahiro Tanaka: 141, 21
2010-12 Stephen Strasburg: 135, 24— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) September 30, 2024
But Schwellenbach isn’t the only one feeling the heat. The Mets are countering with Tylor Megill, who has had an up-and-down season with a 4-5 record and a 3.98 ERA. Like the Braves, the Mets are saving their ace, Luis Severino, for later in the week—assuming they can clinch that wild-card spot with a win in Game 1. If Megill can deliver, the Mets will be sitting pretty with Severino lined up to start Game 1 of the wild-card round. If he falters, however, they’ll have to use Severino in Game 2 of the doubleheader, a risk they’d certainly rather avoid.
The tension in Atlanta is set to explode with these two games, and fans will be glued to every pitch, knowing that the future of their teams’ seasons rests on the outcome of this one day. The Braves and Mets have battled all season long, but it’s now or never for both clubs.
