Mets and Braves doubleheader set for Monday after rainout

The New York Mets and Atlanta Braves had their last two games of a crucial series postponed due to inclement weather, leading to a doubleheader scheduled for Monday. This change comes as both teams are in a tight wild-card race, with the Mets holding a half-game lead over Arizona and the Braves trailing by a full game. The Mets are set to play three games against the Milwaukee Brewers, while the Braves will face the Kansas City Royals over the weekend. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza emphasized the need to focus on upcoming games, stating that they must control what they can. The postponement has created a challenging travel schedule for the Mets, who may need to fly back to Atlanta for the doubleheader before heading to Milwaukee or the West Coast for the wild-card series, should they qualify for the playoffs. The decision to postpone the games was made shortly before the scheduled first pitch, after heavy rain affected the area. Mendoza noted that he had not discussed the postponement with MLB until just before the announcement. This situation has also provided him with extra time to recover from lower back discomfort, as he is eligible to return from the injured list soon. The Braves are likely to adjust their pitching rotation, with Chris Sale and Max Fried expected to start against the Royals on Friday and Saturday. The outcome of the doubleheader could significantly impact the playoff race, depending on how the standings evolve over the weekend.