Mets and Braves prepare for showdown in Atlanta, playoff dreams at stake in next chapter of rivalry

NEW YORK (AP) — All summer long, there was a big series on the program.

Three games between the Mets and Braves in Atlanta in the final week of the season. With the NL East rivals locked in a heated race for the wildcards, it would certainly come down to them going head-to-head.

And here we are.

“We knew a few weeks ago that this series would probably help decide the thing. We know what's coming and we know what we have to do,” said Atlanta catcher Sean Murphy. “It's all up to us. If we win, we're in.”

If the struggling Braves want to make the playoffs for the seventh consecutive year, they will need to put in a strong performance at home.

And if the surprising Mets want to make that push into the postseason, they can do it by toppling a familiar nemesis.

At Truist Park, there is nothing less than a legacy at stake – and the chance to play in October.

“I’m really excited about this opportunity,” said New York batter Pete Alonso. is expected to become a free agent after the World Series.

With six regular-season games remaining, both teams had Monday off before playing their first game of the series on Tuesday night. New York (87-69) is a half-game ahead of Arizona (87-70) for the second of three National League wild cards, while the Braves (85-71) are 1 1/2 games behind the Diamondbacks for the final playoff spot.

The Mets and Braves have split 10 meetings this year, so the winner of their three-game series will have the season series tiebreaker if the score is tied.

New York knows that two wins in Atlanta would secure them a playoff spot, but a Braves win puts them in a good position heading into the final weekend of the season.

It's reminiscent of two years ago, when the Mets came to Atlanta for the penultimate series of the season with a one-game lead over the Braves in the NL East. Atlanta won all three games and secured a tiebreaker that decided the division title days later when both clubs finished 101-61 and were on their way to an early playoff exit.

It was the fifth of six consecutive NL East titles for the Braves. a series that ended last Friday when they were eliminated from a divisional race that Philadelphia won on Monday night. But they still have their wildcard fate in their own hands, despite a Flood of injuries to All-Star players that has hindered her all year.

“I already feel like I'm playing in the postseason,” said closer Raisel Iglesias. “We just have to stay patient and play our game.”

Both teams made adjustments to the rotation to set up their pitchers for the series.

New York right-hander Luis Severino (11-6, 3.79 ERA) starts the opening game against rookie Spencer Schwellenbach (7-7, 3.61), who dominated the Mets in a 4-0 win on July 27.

Atlanta's top hitter Chris Sale (18-3, 2.38), the favorite for the NL Cy Young Award, faces fellow left-hander David Peterson (9-3, 3.08) in the second game. And then a blustery Sean Manaea (12-5, 3.29) faces Braves star Max Fried (10-10, 3.42), another duel of left-handers.

In a questionable move, the Mets decided to sit out veteran left-hander Jose Quintana (10-9, 3.74) in favor of Severino and Peterson. Quintana has allowed just one earned run in 32 innings of his last five games, winning the last four.

The intrigue is further enhanced by uncertain status of Francisco Lindor. The star shortstop is considered a contender for the NL MVP title, but has only played one inning in the last nine games due to back pain.

But the Mets just completed a 6-1 home stand without him, thanks in no small part to some valuable contributions from 22-year-old substitute Luisangel Acuña — a younger brother of Braves slugger Ronald Acuña Jr., the reigning NL MVP.

Luisangel Acuña, called up from the minor leagues on September 14, has a batting average of .379 with three home runs, six RBIs, six runs, six extra-base hits and an OPS of 1.228 in his first nine major league games.

Ronald Acuña Jr. will not play in the series after suffering a season-ending knee injury in May, but he told Luisangel in a congratulatory text message last week that he is looking forward to swapping jerseys in Atlanta.

“I'll be honest, I didn't expect to be here a few weeks ago,” Luisangel Acuña said through an interpreter. “He's happy that I'm getting there, but ultimately we want to win.”

The rivalry between these franchises has existed for decades, with Hall of Famers like Mike Piazza,Chipper Jones and Bobby Cox were at the center of some memorable moments.

But it was mostly one-sided.

New York challenged the Braves for the top spot in the NL East several times during their record run of 14 consecutive division titles from 1991 to 2005, but failed.

Piazza and the Mets moved the 1999 NLCS back to Atlanta on Robin Ventura's Grand Slam single at Shea Stadium and then watched Kenny Rogers score the series-clinching point in Game 6.

And so, for a team seeking its first World Series title since 1986, a victory over the Braves at the crucial moment would be a sign to jaded Mets fans of future success under new baseball president David Stearns and impressive rookie manager Carlos Mendoza.

Another flop? Maybe the same old Mets – fair or not.

After this series, Atlanta finishes the season with three home games against Kansas City and is in a close race for a wild card in the American League.

Edwin Diaz and the resurgent Mets visit NL Central champion Milwaukee, who could already have secured third place in the playoffs by then.

Since New York was 11 games under .500 on May 29, it has the best record in the major leagues at 65-36.

“Our goal is to come back here and play playoff baseball in October. We have to overcome a lot of hurdles to do that,” outfielder Brandon Nimmo said. “We have to take care of our business and be present or it's not going to happen. But that's the goal – to bring October baseball, playoff baseball, here to New York.”

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AP baseball writer Ronald Blum and AP freelance writers Jerry Beach and Santos Perez contributed to this report.

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