ATLANTA — It was unclear if the Mets would celebrate Monday. More clear was when such a celebration would occur.
Ahead of a playoff-deciding doubleheader at Truist Park, Major League Baseball told the Mets and Braves to postpone the champagne-spraying theatrics until after the second game, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said.
Each club would clinch a postseason spot with a victory in the opener before a second game was set for 40 minutes after the final out of the first.
By delaying the celebration, Major League Baseball would ensure that the winner of the first game would not take the field for the second game after a raucous and alcohol-filled party.
Disallowing the clubhouse festivities must have been appreciated by the Diamondbacks, who are rooting for one team to sweep the doubleheader — which was their lone route into October baseball.
If the Mets and Braves split the doubleheader, each would enter the playoffs and Arizona would be left out.
