After taking three of four games in a series against the Phillies (and preventing them from clinching the NL East at Citi Field), the New York Mets are about to play three of the most important games of the entire season against longtime rivals the Atlanta Braves. They’re entering the series two games ahead of Atlanta in the wildcard standings, and by the time the regular series comes to a close, it’s likely one of these teams won’t be playing October baseball.

The Mets are also coming into this series without Francisco Lindor, who will miss at least Tuesday’s tilt. And as if the stakes couldn’t get any higher, Tropical Storm Helene will blow through the Atlanta area later this week, which could mean a washout if the start time isn’t amended, as it was reported earlier this week could happen.

The New York Mets currently sit in the second wildcard spot, just a half-game behind the WC1 San Diego Padres. With two games in hand on Atlanta entering the series, the Mets can punch their ticket to the postseason with two wins in this series against the Braves. Alternatively, going 4-2 in any fashion in the final six games of the season would mean the Mets continue onto the postseason.

All three games in the Mets’ series against the Braves will air on their home network, SNY. If you have traditional cable, you’ll be able to watch all three games on your TV. To watch SNY live, you’ll need a live TV streaming service. Our favorite, because it includes regional sports networks (like SNY), is DIRECTV Stream. You’ll have to subscribe to the CHOICE plan, which comes with a five-day free trial. After the trial ends, DIRECTV Stream Choice plan costs $88.99/month.

The Atlanta Braves and New York Mets begin what might be the most important series of the 2024 MLB regular season on Tuesday night. The Mets are a half-game up on a wild-card spot, the Braves are 1 1/2 games back. New York can clinch a postseason berth with two wins out of three games. The Braves cannot clinch this series, but this is their best (last?) chance to gain significant ground.

There is one potential problem this week: Hurricane Helene. The storm, which was upgraded to a tropical storm Tuesday, is expected to become a hurricane Wednesday and make landfall in Florida on Thursday. National Hurricane Center projections call for the storm to become Category 2 hurricane with 110 mph winds. Some models forecast an even stronger storm.

The projected path of Hurricane Helene has it impacting Georgia, and potentially the Braves vs. Mets series, later in the week.  Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has already declared a state of emergency. Here's the latest from CBS News:

The league already moved Tuesday's Detroit Tigers vs. Tampa Bay Rays game at Comerica Park up from 6:40 p.m. ET to 1:10 p.m. ET to avoid a separate storm system and the game was able to be completed safely after a short rain delay.

MLB has not yet announced any adjustments to this week's Braves vs. Mets series in response to Hurricane Helene, though the forecast makes it likely the series will be impacted in some way. The league is expected to coordinate with both clubs as well as independent weather sources before making a call, CBS Sports has learned. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said he had not yet heard anything from the league as of about 5 p.m. Tuesday. Here are the four options with the storm looming:

Hurricane Impact on the Series

Moving Up Thursday's Game

The easiest and most straightforward solution. Currently a 7:20 p.m. ET start, MLB could move Thursday's game up to 1 p.m. ET or even 12 p.m. ET, and get it in before the storm arrives. That would also give the Mets the best chance to travel to Milwaukee for their next series without any weather issues. (The Braves don't have to travel after this series.)

Doubleheader on Wednesday

If the forecast suggests playing nine innings at any time Thursday may not be possible, MLB could have the Braves and Mets play two games on Wednesday. Both teams would have to adjust their pitching plans, though Monday's off-day would make it a bit less painful. And if they have to adjust their pitching plans, so be it. Playing Thursday's game as part of a doubleheader Wednesday may be the safest way to play all three games in Atlanta this week.

Relocation to a Neutral Site

When the weather forecast presents enough of a concern, MLB will move games to a neutral site. Entire series have been relocated in the past. Here are three examples:

The Astros vs. Cubs series in 2008 is notable for Carlos Zambrano's no-hitter, MLB's first neutral site no-hitter.

Playing Tuesday's and Wednesday's game at Truist Park and Thursday's game at a neutral site is not optimal -- the entire series should be played in the same stadium with the same conditions -- but if Hurricane Helene forces the league to relocate Thursday's game, then it has to be relocated. The Rangers are on the road this week, so Globe Life Field in Arlington stands out as a possible alternate site, though that is just my speculation. A short-ish flight from Atlanta and the retractable roof ensures no weather issues.

Postponement

This is the least desirable option. MLB could simply postpone Thursday's game, and if the weekend's outcomes say the game must be to decide the postseason race, then it would be made up next Monday, on the off-day between the end of the regular season and the start of the Wild Card Series. If the game has no bearing on the race, then it won't be made up, and it'll be a 161-game season for the Braves and Mets. Given the standings though, it seems likely the game will matter to one or both teams.

The storm projections are concerning enough that Thursday's Braves vs. Mets game is likely to impacted in some way. Moving it up to earlier in the day Thursday would be the easiest solution, followed by a doubleheader Wednesday. Once you get into neutral sites and postponing the game until after the regular season, then things get messy, but sometimes it's the only solution.

Mets Gear and Betting

For those who can't make it to the game, Mets gear, including new All-Star Game and Big League Chew hats, can be found on Fanatics.com. Get cheap Mets tickets from StubHub. You can bet on the game from your phone in New York State, and we’ve compiled some of the best introductory offers to help navigate your first bets from BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, Bet365 and more.

What's Next for Both Teams?

Following this series, Atlanta finishes the season with three games at home against Kansas City, caught up in a close race of its own for an American League wild card. Edwin Díaz and the resurgent Mets visit NL Central champion Milwaukee, which might be locked into the No. 3 playoff seed by then.

Since falling 11 games under .500 on May 29, New York has the best record in the majors at 65-36. “Our goal is to get back here and be playing playoff baseball in October. There’s a lot of hoops to get through in order to do that,” outfielder Brandon Nimmo said. “We have to take care of business and be present in the situation, otherwise it will not happen. But that is the goal — to bring October baseball, playoff baseball, back here to New York.”