**MLB 2024 Postseason Kicks Off with Crucial Braves vs. Mets Doubleheader**

As the 2024 MLB postseason looms, excitement is already mounting with a decisive Braves vs. Mets doubleheader at Truist Park on Monday. This key matchup will officially conclude the regular season. Interestingly, this twin bill carries significant postseason implications as the outcomes will determine the final contenders for the playoffs, even though these games are part of the regular season.

This year marks the third under the 12-team postseason format, with action set to commence on Tuesday through the best-of-three Wild Card Series. The postseason bracket is eagerly anticipated, with spots still to be clinched, including the tense situation among the Braves, Mets, and Diamondbacks. Monday’s games hold the fate of the two remaining wild card spots squarely in their outcomes.

Adding to the excitement, the Detroit Tigers have managed a return to the postseason for the first time since 2014, showcasing an impressive in-season turnaround. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Royals have also staged a remarkable comeback from their 106-loss record last year to make it to the playoffs this season. Among the postseason contenders, the Milwaukee Brewers stand out as the only team in search of their first-ever World Series championship.

Speculations abound regarding the outcome of the Braves and Mets doubleheader. Common belief is that the doubleheader might end in a split, given that historically nearly 50% of all doubleheaders since 2000 have concluded in such a manner. Both teams require just one victory to secure their postseason spots, making the likelihood of a split quite high. The winner of the first game is expected to ease the intensity in the second game, creating a potential advantage for their opponent.

Despite the odds favoring a split, bold predictions are part of the journey. A scenario where one team sweeps the doubleheader, eliminating the other and allowing the Diamondbacks entry into the playoffs, remains a strong possibility. It would be a dramatic twist if the team swept fails to capitalize on back-to-back opportunities to secure their postseason berth.

Adding to the dramatic predictions, there is a keen focus on Shohei Ohtani, known for his outstanding performance. This season, Ohtani added 59 stolen bases to his formidable count of home runs, reflecting his well-rounded athletic prowess. A bold prediction sees Ohtani achieving the unprecedented feat of hitting five home runs and stealing five bases in a single postseason series, a combination never before managed by any player in history. If successful, Ohtani would join an elite group of nine players who have hit five homers in a series.

As anticipation heightens, all eyes are on the Braves, Mets, and D-backs to see who will carve out their path to the postseason and which individual performances will redefine the playoffs history.