On Sept. 24, the Atlanta Braves begin a crucial three-game series with the New York Mets at Truist Park in Atlanta. The Braves currently sit 1.5 games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks for the final Wild Card spot, and 2.0 games behind the surging Mets.The Braves, who had won six straight division titles dating back to 2018, are amidst an overall disappointing regular season. 2024 will mark the first year the team has not won the National League East division since 2017. Not only that, but with just six games left to play, the Braves must catch up to the Diamondbacks or Mets to get a playoff spot.
The top three Wild Card teams all make the playoffs, and the Padres currently lead the Wild Card by a considerable margin. A poor showing from the Diamondbacks this week could possibly get the Braves in the playoffs, but with the Braves facing off with the Mets, it is now or never for the Atlanta club. If the Braves were able to win all three, they would overtake the Mets in the Wild Card picture. If the Braves win two games, they will head into the final weekend with a one game deficit behind the Mets. If both teams finish the season with the same record, the winner of the series would win the last Wild Card spot.
“We are just coming to the field like we do every other day and trying to play the best brand of baseball we can and just leave it out there on the field.” – Grant Holmes, Atlanta Braves Pitcher
Overall, the Braves regular season can be summed up in one word: injuries. The reigning National League MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. tore his ACL on May 26 and will not return in 2024. Renowned starting pitcher Spencer Strider underwent elbow surgery in April and also will not return. Austin Riley has missed the last month with a hand fracture and would only be able to return if the Braves make a deep playoff run. Ozzie Albies just last week returned to the lineup after suffering a fractured wrist and missing two months. Braves top reliever A.J. Minter is out for the season after undergoing hip surgery. Catcher Sean Murphy and center fielder Michael Harris II each missed two months due to their respective injuries. All-Star pitcher Reynaldo Lopez has hit the injured list multiple times after the All-Star Break with various injuries. Despite all of the injuries, the Braves have still managed to keep the Wild Card race close, with help from midseason acquisitions such as Ramon Laureano, Gio Urshela and Whit Merrifield.
Tonight, the Braves are sending Spencer Schwellenbach to the mound against Luis Severino of the Mets. Wednesday’s matchup will have a pair of lefties, with the Braves’ Chris Sale and David Peterson of the Mets. Thursday will be two more southpaws with Sean Manaea and Max Fried taking the mound.
