The 2024 MLB playoff race is coming down to the wire as the Mets visit the Braves for back-to-back games Monday to determine the final two National League wild card spots.
Of course, neither game was meant to be played the day before the postseason is set to begin. Hurricane Helene unleashed her wrath on the southeastern states, including Atlanta where Truist Park is located. The storm made landfall in Florida last Thursday and would progress north to western Georgia and the Carolinas throughout the weekend.
The first two games of the final Mets-Braves series were postponed, with the only option to reschedule on Monday, less than 24 hours before the first pitch of the playoffs. The Arizona Diamondbacks are also in the hunt for one of two remaining NL wild card slots and their fate rests on the shoulders of Monday’s doubleheader.
If both Atlanta and New York come away with a win, they will earn the No. 5 and No. 6 seeds respectively, playing the Padres and Brewers. If either team sweeps, it would earn the No. 5 seed and the Diamondbacks would get the final slot, eliminating the winless squad.
Monday’s two games represent arguably the most exciting and meaningful regular-season doubleheader in recent memory. Here’s everything to know about the Mets vs. Braves starting lineups today, including the pitchers for Games 1-2.
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Mets-Braves lineups for Game 1
Starling Marte is absent from the Mets lineup for the first matchup of Monday’s doubleheader, but the outfielder has had a light season due to injury. He is experiencing a 1-for-15 slump over his last five games and hasn’t homered since early June. Tyrone Taylor will replace him out right with Harrison Bader in center.
As he has in recent games, Travis d’Arnaud will suit up at catcher for Atlanta, batting seventh. Ozzie Albies continues to slot in at second in the order despite struggling since returning from injury. Otherwise, nothing much has changed for the Braves.
Here’s a look at how both teams will start on Monday:
| Batting order | Mets | Braves |
| 1 | Francisco Lindor (S) SS | Michael Harris II (L) CF |
| 2 | Jose Iglesias (R) 2B | Ozzie Albies (S) 2B |
| 3 | Mark Vientos (R) 3B | Marcell Ozuna (R) DH |
| 4 | Brandon Nimmo (L) LF | Matt Olson (L) 1B |
| 5 | Pete Alonso (R) 1B | Jorge Soler (R) RF |
| 6 | J.D. Martinez (R) DH | Ramรณn Laureano (R) LF |
| 7 | Tyrone Taylor (R) RF | Travis d’Arnaud (R) C |
| 8 | Francisco Alvarez (R) C | Gio Urshela (R) 3B |
| 9 | Harrison Bader (R) CF | Orlando Arcia (R) SS |
MORE: How Monday doubleheader impacts 2024 MLB clinching scenarios
Mets-Braves starting pitchers for Game 1
Atlanta will send Spencer Schwellenbach to the mound in Game 1. When facing the Mets this year, the right-hander has only given up one run in 14 innings. Against NL playoff contenders, Schwellenbach also maintains a 1.79 ERA in seven starts.
Tylor Megill will pitch for New York looking to redeem himself for his last outing against the Braves. The righty lost at MetLife through six innings pitched in June, giving up five hits and four earned runs, three of them homers.
Here’s how Megill and Schwellenbach match up for the first of Monday’s two games:
| Team | Mets | Braves |
| Pitcher | Tylor Megill | Spencer Schwellenbach |
| R/LHP | RHP | RHP |
| Record | 4-5 | 8-7 |
| ERA | 3.98 | 3.47 |
| SO | 83 | 122 |
MORE: Updated playoff bracket, magic numbers through Sept. 29
Mets-Braves lineups for Game 2
Needing a win to avoid elimination after falling in the first game of the doubleheader, the Braves made one change to their starting lineup from Game 1. Atlanta replaces d’Arnaud at the plate with catcher Sean Murphy. The 29-year-old rookie has appeared in 71 games so far, delivering 18 runs himself, 25 RBIs, and 10 homers.
Having clinched a postseason berth, the Mets are approaching Game 2 with caution considering their strongest lineup for the wild card series. Luisangel Acuรฑa replaces Lindor at shortstop, Starling Marte gets the start at designated hitter for J.D. Martinez and Francisco Alvarez comes in for Jose Iglesias at second to begin the contest.
Brandon Nimmo, Pete Alonso, Mark Vientos, Tyrone Taylor and Harrison Bader all maintain their spots but shuffle around a bit in the order. Gio Urshela moves up one spot for the Braves but the rest of the order remains unchanged.
| Batting order | Mets | Braves |
| 1 | Luisangel Acuรฑa (R) SS | Michael Harris II (L) CF |
| 2 | Starling Marte (R) DH | Ozzie Albies (S) 2B |
| 3 | Brandon Nimmo (L) LF | Marcell Ozuna (R) DH |
| 4 | Pete Alonso (R) 1B | Matt Olson (L) 1B |
| 5 | Mark Vientos (R) 3B | Jorge Soler (R) RF |
| 6 | Tyrone Taylor (R) RF | Ramรณn Laureano (R) LF |
| 7 | Harrison Bader (R) CF | Gio Urshela (R) 3B |
| 8 | Luis Torrens (R) C | Sean Murphy (R) C |
| 9 | Francisco Alvarez (R) 2B | Orlando Arcia (R) SS |
MORE: Updated Braves, Mets, Diamondbacks playoff chances and tiebreakers for 2024 MLB bracket
Mets-Braves starting pitchers for Game 2
| Team | Mets | Braves |
| Pitcher | Joey Lucchesi | Grant Holmes |
| R/LHP | LHP | RHP |
| Record | 0-1 | 2-1 |
| ERA | 10.38 | 3.78 |
| SO | 2 | 63 |
