ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 31: A view of the bunting hung along the stands prior to Game Five of the World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on October 31, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Somehow, the race for the final Wild Card spot in the National League has gone to the final day of the season, which means that the Atlanta Braves won’t know who they’re facing at home at Truist Park in the Wild Card Series until later this evening.
With that being said, that hasn’t stopped Major League Baseball from revealing the times at which the Braves will be playing their games during this year’s Wild Card Series. If you’re the working-type, then you’d better get ready to play some hooky this week as the Braves have been slotted into the afternoon spot.
Here’s the schedule for the first two games, which is set in stone:
GAME 1: Tuesday, September 29 vs. Diamondbacks or Phillies at 2:00 p.m. ETGAME 2: Wednesday, September 30 vs. Diamondbacks or Phillies at 2:00 p.m. ET
It gets tricky after Game 2, though. If all four Wild Card Series go to GAME 3 then Atlanta will be playing their series-decider on October 1 at 2:00 p.m. ET just like the first two games. If there are three Game 3s that need to be played and the Braves are involved then once again, GAME 3 will take place at Truist Park on October 1 at 2:00 p.m. ET.
If the only two Game 3s that are left to be played are in the National League then once more, the Braves will be locked into the 2:00 p.m. ET slot on October 1 for GAME 3. If it comes down to Atlanta’s series and the Yankees-Red Sox series being the only two Game 3s left, that will also put Atlanta into the 2:00 p.m. ET slot on October 1 for GAME 3.
In fact, there are only two scenarios where the Braves will be playing at 8:00 p.m. ET:
If Yankees-Red Sox and Padres-Cubs are over, GAME 3 will be on October 1 at 8:00 p.m. ET. If Atlanta’s series is the only one to go to three games, GAME 3 will be on October 1 at 8:00 p.m. ET
All games will be televised on NBC and Peacock.
So there you have it. More than likely, the Braves will be doing their Postseason activities at 2:00 p.m. for the Wild Card Series and (hopefully) we’ll go from there. Again, play hooky if you have to since the Braves are going to need your energy for this run.