How to watch Mets, Braves doubleheader with 2024 postseason spots on the line

The New York Mets are playing baseball after the 2024 Major League Baseball regular season ended on Sunday, but they still do not have a playoff spot secured.

Due to Hurricane Helene last week, the Mets and Braves are playing a doubleheader on Monday to make up two games that were postponed in Atlanta.

Both NL East clubs are gunning for a playoff spot, possess identical 88-72 records and are in a three-way deadlock with the Arizona Diamondbacks, who finished their season with an 11-2 victory over the San Diego Padres for a final record of 89-73.

The mission for both teams is simple: Each team has to win just one of the doubleheader games to clinch a playoff spot and eliminate the Diamondbacks.

If the Mets win both, they will get in with Arizona, and the Braves will be eliminated. If the Braves win both, the Mets’ season ends with a postseason miss for a second straight year.

New York turns to Tylor Megill for Game 1, while the Braves return to Spencer Schwellenbach, who stymied the Amazins last Tuesday by allowing just one run on three hits in seven innings of work with four strikeouts.

He also went seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits with 11 strikeouts in another start against the Mets on July 27.

The result of Game 1 will likely dictate how the winning team approaches the second leg of the doubleheader. Atlanta has already penciled in likely NL Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale, on 10 days rest, for Game 2. If they win, he might be replaced.

The Mets have not announced a starter as of yet, but a loss in Game 1 would force them to turn to Luis Severino with their backs against the wall.