Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl

With Hurricane Irene looming on the horizon, the New York Mets have postponed Saturday and Sunday’s games against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field.

Both games will be made up as a single-admission doubleheader Sept. 8.

The Mets were hoping to get Saturday’s game in and had discussed moving the start time from 4:10 p.m. to 1:10 p.m. or 12:10 p.m., but they needed approval from city officials, which was not granted.

The New York Times reported that the city’s mass transit system will be shut down at noon Saturday, making a game impractical.

The weekend cancellations alleviate the need for two starters during next week’s series against the Florida Marlins. The Mets still need a replacement that series for Jon Niese, who was placed on the disabled list on Wednesday with an intercostal muscle strain, with Miguel Batista appearing logical after he was promoted Friday.

Major League Baseball already had moved Sunday’s games at Philadelphia and Boston to Saturday to make them part of day-night doubleheaders. The Phillies play the Marlins and the Red Sox play the Athletics.

WRITTEN BY Mike Mazzeo is a regular contributor to ESPNNewYork.com. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report & FULL STORY HERE