Win and they're in: Braves' playoff hopes come down to Monday doubleheader in Atlanta

The Atlanta Braves host a doubleheader Monday against the New York Mets that will decide their playoff fate.
Atlanta Braves' Travis d'Arnaud, right, tags second base after a hit by Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy while Kansas City Royals second baseman Michael Massey, left, waits for the throw to him in the fourth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)

Charlie Morton gave up a three-run homer to Michael Massey in the first inning and the Atlanta Braves squandered a chance to clinch a postseason berth, losing to the playoff-bound Kansas City Royals 4-2 on Sunday in what was supposed to be the final day of the regular season.

Atlanta hosts a doubleheader Monday against the New York Mets, a makeup of two games that were rained out last week between the NL East rivals as Hurricane Helene slashed through the southeastern U.S.

Atlanta and the Mets are both 88-72, and Arizona finished 89-73. If either team sweeps Monday, the Diamondbacks reach the playoffs. But if the doubleheader is split, the Mets and Braves advance and Arizona is out because the Braves and Mets hold the tiebreaker edge over the Diamondbacks.