**Hurricane Helene Forces Braves vs. Mets Game Postponements, Doubling Up Crucial Series Before Playoffs**

The upcoming series between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets, one of the most pivotal matchups in the final stretch of the 2024 MLB regular season, has encountered an unexpected halt due to Hurricane Helene. After the Braves secured a victory in the initial game (NYM 5, ATL 1) on Tuesday night, Major League Baseball announced on Wednesday that the remaining two games, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, will be postponed.

The approaching Category 4 Hurricane Helene, which has intensified and is expected to make landfall in Florida with winds exceeding 110 mph, has prompted MLB to reschedule the postponed games as part of a doubleheader on Monday. This decision aims to ensure the series is concluded before the postseason starts on Tuesday, October 1. However, these games will only take place if necessary to determine the playoff standings, as per the New York Post.

With the Mets holding a precarious half-game lead for a wild-card spot and the Braves trailing the Arizona Diamondbacks by just half a game for the No. 6 seed, the likelihood of needing Monday's makeup games appears high. The Braves, looking to maintain their strong ticket sales for this high-stakes series, have resisted adjusting logistics or gate receipts, despite the severe weather. MLB officials decided not to override this stance.

Anticipated heavy rainfall in Atlanta on Wednesday and Thursday due to the hurricane's approach underscores the safety concerns. The National Hurricane Center has issued alerts about "damaging and life-threatening hurricane-force winds" that are expected to affect northern Florida and southern Georgia. In response, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has declared a state of emergency.

As the regular season concludes on Sunday, the Mets will travel to Milwaukee for a final three-game series against the Brewers, and the Braves will host the Royals, weather permitting. The rescheduled doubleheader adds to the crunch of determining the 12-team postseason bracket, ensuring all crucial games are played under safe conditions.