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Monday's doubleheader between the Mets and Braves will determine the field

Posted on by Vanessa
Monday's doubleheader between the Mets and Braves will determine the field

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(This story has been updated to add new information.)

The matches for the Major League Baseball playoffs are almost certain.

Almost.

28 of 30 teams completed their regular season on Sunday, and the results ensured that the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves will play another game day – yes, Nos. 161 and 162 at Truist Field in Atlanta – to close the final two determine wildcard teams in the National League.

But much more certainty was gained as a series of near-synchronous games played out. Nobody was eliminated. But a handful of travel secretaries could click “book” on hotel rooms and tell their pilots exactly where to board the team plane.

As for the final two NL slots occupied by two of the Arizona Diamondbacks (89-73), Mets (88-72) and Braves (88-72)?

Well, it's relatively easy (yeah, right) after Arizona and New York won on Sunday and the Braves lost.

NIGHT GALE: Awards presented for the 2024 MLB season

How are the final NL wildcards determined?

The Mets will fly from Milwaukee to Atlanta on Sunday night and play a doubleheader at Truist Park due to two postponements last week due to heavy rain in Helene. Rookie star Spencer Hügelbach will start Game 1 for Atlanta against Mets right-hander Tylor Megill.

It's simple: One Mets win and one Braves win and they're in the playoffs.

The Diamondbacks need a team to beat the twinbill — and they're in the playoffs along with the sweep team.

So yes, Arizona is in the strange position of seeing how Game 1 plays out and going all-in on the winner to win Game 2 as well. Just one problem: The winner of Game 1 has their playoff spot in hand and is less inclined to use higher-leverage pitchers in Game 2.

And using Monday for catch-up games means there is no day of rest before the start of the Wild Card Series – and the winner of the early game barely has 24 hours to fly to Milwaukee or San Diego and begin the actual playoffs. If the Braves lose Game 1, it will be interesting to see if they use Cy Young Award favorite Chris Sale in Game 2; Atlanta held him back to get some extra rest and hopefully make a playoff appearance.

How important will “the sanctity of the game” be to the winner of Monday’s first game? Arizona manager Torey Lovullo, left to watch and pray, hopes the answer is: “A lot.”

How are the NL survivors seeded?

The San Diego Padres are the No. 1 wild card and No. 4 seed in the NL.

Arizona can only qualify as a No. 6 seed because it lost tiebreakers to both the Mets and Braves.

If both the Braves and Mets advance, the Braves will be the No. 5 seed as they won the season series against the Mets 7-6.

A look at the playoff picture and the projected starters, starting with the clearly defined American League before we get to the NL chaos:

AL Wildcard Series

(All games on ESPN/ESPN2/ABC)

Game 1, Tuesday: LH Tarik Skubal vs. LH Framber Valdez, 2:32 p.m. ET, ABC

Game 2, Wednesday: TBA vs. TBA, 2:32 p.m. ET, ABC

Game 3, Thursday, if applicable: TBA vs. TBA, 2:32 p.m. ET, ABC

Game 1, Tuesday: LH Cole Ragans vs. RH Corbin Burnes, 4:08 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Game 2, Wednesday: RH Seth Lugo vs. RH Zach Eflin, 4:38 p.m. ET, ESPN

Game 3, Thursday, if applicable: RH Michael Wacha vs. RH Dean Kremer, 4:08 p.m. ET, ESPN

AL Division Series – Saturday, TBS

Royals-Orioles winner over No. 1 New York Yankees

Tigers-Astros winner against No. 2 Cleveland Guardians

NL Wildcard Series

Game 1, Tuesday: TBA vs. RH Freddy Peralta, 5:32 p.m. ET, ESPN

Game 2, Wednesday: TBA vs. TBA, 7:38 p.m. ET, ESPN

Game 3, Thursday, if applicable: TBA vs. TBA, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Game 1, Tuesday: TBA vs. RH Dylan Cease, 8:38 p.m. ET, ESPN,

Game 2, Wednesday: TBA vs. TBA, 8:38 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Game 3, Thursday, if applicable: TBA vs. TBA, 7:08 p.m. ET, ESPN

NL Division Series – Saturday, Fox/FS1

Mets/Braves-Padres winner over No. 1 Los Angeles Dodgers

Mets/Diamondbacks-Brewers winner over No. 2 Philadelphia Phillies

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