The Atlanta Braves began the most important series of their 2024 season against the New York Mets on Tuesday evening. Atlanta entered the series trailing the Mets for the final NL Wild Card spot.
There is no room for a loss as the Braves must win to control their destiny. Luckily, Atlanta won game one with a 5-1 final score. The offense worked the count well against Luis Severino and Spencer Schwellenbach pitched seven impressive innings.
This pulled the Braves within one game of the Mets. However, the Arizona Diamondbacks ended up losing to the Giants so Atlanta now finds themselves just a half-game behind the Snakes for the third Wild Card playoff spot.
Michael Harris II was one of the brightest spots during Tuesday's game against Atlanta's rivals from the Big Apple. Harris finished the game a triple shy of hitting for the cycle. He was 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI.
MHII has been on an offensive tear in September with a .307 average during that stretch. He has 39 hits including, 10 homers, 21 RBI, two walks, and 22 strikeouts. Harris could improve in the on-base percentage department but other than that he's been incredible.
Over the past week, he has a line of .486/.500/1.000 with 17 hits including five homers and nine RBI. It was a bit of a struggle for Harris when he first returned from the injured list but he's fixed his approach and has begun to see results from it.
However, Harris' offense isn't the only thing that impressed Braves fans on Tuesday night. He also reminded the Mets and all of baseball that he's a huge threat on defense. He's made some of the most impressive defensive plays since being called up to the big league level a couple of years ago.
Michael Harris II blows Braves fans away with incredible diving catch
Luisangel Acuña was batting in the fifth inning and laced a ball to center field. At first glance, it looked like it was going to drop in for a hit. Unfortunately, Ronald Acuña Jr.'s little brother hit it to the wrong man.
Michael Harris II charged the ball and made one of the most jaw-dropping catches you will ever see. Even Harris was in disbelief of the incredible play he made, shaking his head as if to say "Don't hit it to me or you'll regret it."
Feelin' heisty 💰@MoneyyyMikeee | #BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/rJ4NaP2aTD
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 25, 2024
His catch lit up Truist Park as the crowd erupted into a frenzy after he secured the ball. This kept momentum on Atlanta's side which has been hard to come by in 2024.
This isn't the first time Harris has shocked fans with an outstanding play in the outfield. He made a bonkers catch against the Phillies earlier this season that had even the Philly bullpen with their minds blown.
It shouldn't surprise anyone as Harris has a 7 OAA in the 92nd percentile across all of baseball. Harris' catch and Atlanta's win crushed New York's hope of starting the series with a win and separating themselves further in the playoff race. Instead, they are having flashes of the 2022 season when the Braves swept them to win the NL East.
If Atlanta sweeps or wins this series they will own the season tiebreaker over the Mets. They have their best chance of winning the series on Wednesday night with Chris Sale taking the mound for his final start of his 2024 Cy Young campaign.
However, that depends on Mother Nature as the current Tropical Storm Helene is expected to provide rain in the area on Wednesday and Thursday. Neither team wants that to happen as it potentially sets up both teams having to play a doubleheader next Monday.