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The final 2024 MLB playoff spot will be decided Monday night in Atlanta. The New York Mets achieved a thrilling victory in Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Braves, coming from behind to win 8-7 with Francisco Lindor hitting the game-winning home run in the 9th inning. The pressure will be on the Braves in Game 2 (click here for live updates).
If Atlanta wins, they will advance to the playoffs as the fifth seed. If the Braves lose Game 2, which started just before 5 p.m. ET, the Arizona Diamondbacks will slip into the playoffs and Atlanta’s season will be over.
Here’s what else you need to know about Game 2.
Where to watch Mets vs. Braves
Date: Monday, September 30th |Time: 4:50 PM ET (Game 2) |Location: SunTrust Park
TV Channel: Bally Sports South, SNY, ESPN2 | Live Stream: fubo (Free Trial)
Why it’s important and how it affects the Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks are 89-73. The Braves and Mets could both end up with the same record. The problem for Arizona is that the club lost tiebreakers to both teams in the National League East this season. The D-backs’ hopes rest on the Mets winning again in Game 2 while resting some key players.
The D-backs certainly seem to be in a tough situation here. The most likely outcome for Monday is a split.
What’s interesting is that the Braves will either be the No. 5 seed or miss the playoffs. If they split the series, they will have a tiebreaker against the Mets. The Mets will be the 5th seed in the sweep and the 6th seed in the split. The Diamondbacks can only be the No. 6 seed or miss the playoffs.
Sale hurt with back spasms
Contrary to expectations and plans, the Atlanta Braves will not start left-handed ace Chris Sale in the second game of Monday’s doubleheader against the Mets due to back spasms. Instead, the Braves started right-hander Grant Holmes in a bullpen-heavy game for manager Brian Snitker. According to MLB.com, Holmes did not learn of his starting role until late Monday afternoon.
Sale, 35, was dominant in his first season with the Braves. Sale started 29 games and pitched 177 2/3 innings, posting an MLB-leading ERA of 2.38 and an MLB-leading FIP of 2.09, with 225 strikeouts (leading the National League) and 39 walks. was recorded. He has a very good chance of winning the Cy Young Award for the first time in his 14-year career. The nature of Sale’s injury is likely to complicate his chances of starting Game 1 of the Wild Card Series, especially after his transcontinental flight to San Diego. Of course, this assumes the Braves win the second game of the doubleheader against New York.