Two crucial games between the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves in the fight for Major League Baseball playoff spots were postponed to Monday with Hurricane Helene surging toward Atlanta.
Games scheduled in Atlanta for Wednesday and Thursday were pushed back into a double-header on Monday, the eve of the MLB playoffs, the league announced Wednesday afternoon.
Storms and heavy rain were forecast both nights as the storm, centered in the Gulf of Mexico, was set to push into the Atlanta area in the next few days, with the area placed under a tropical storm warning.
The delays come as the Mets and Braves battle with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the two final wildcard playoff berths in the National League behind the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia, San Diego and Milwaukee.
The Mets are 87-70 with Arizona on 87-71 and the Braves 86-71 after beating the Mets 5-1 on Tuesday.
Arizona will play host to San Francisco on Wednesday with three final home games against San Diego starting Friday.
The Mets play Friday through Sunday at Milwaukee while the Braves have three games starting Friday at home against Kansas City.
Monday is the day after what was the scheduled finish of the six-month MLB campaign and the day before the start of the wildcard playoffs, meaning one or both clubs playing in the delayed twin bill could be starting their post-season run the following day.
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