Because of last week’s weather, and because of the way intervening games shook out, the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves had to play a double-header today to decide the final two playoff teams in the National League.
Thanks to a thrilling comeback, then blown game, then comeback again, the Mets won the first game, which locked them into a playoff spot. Then, in a game that the Mets had ZERO incentive to win, the Braves came out ahead. With that split, each of the Mets and Braves got a postseason spot, and bounced the Arizona Diamondbacks in the process.
Thus, the full 2024 MLB Postseason field is now set:
The Brewers and Padres are the primary beneficiaries of today’s extra day of shenanigans, as they now get to host a team in the Wild Card round that just played twice the day before and then had to travel.
Here’s the full schedule for the Wild Card round, which kicks off tomorrow (via MLB):
AL WILD CARD ROUND (All games hosted by higher seed)
Tigers (No. 6 seed) at Astros (No. 3)
Game 1: Tuesday, 2:32 p.m. ET (ABC)
Game 2: Wednesday, 2:32 p.m. ET (ABC)
Game 3^: Thursday, 2:32 p.m. ET (ABC)
^If necessaryRoyals (No. 5 seed) at Orioles (No. 4)
Game 1: Tuesday, 4:08 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
Game 2: Wednesday, 4:38 pm ET (ESPN)
Game 3^: Thursday, 4:08 pm ET (ESPN)
^If necessaryNL WILD CARD ROUND (All games hosted by higher seed)
Mets (No. 6 seed) at Brewers (No. 3)
Game 1: Tuesday, 5:32 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 2: Wednesday, 7:38 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 3^: Thursday, 8:38 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
^If necessaryBraves (No. 5 seed) at Padres (No. 4)
Game 1: Tuesday, 8:38 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Game 2: Wednesday, 8:38 pm ET (ESPN2)
Game 3^: Thursday, 7:08 pm ET (ESPN)
^If necessary