Cincinnati Reds Clinch Playoff Berth Over Mets After Season Finale Tie

The Cincinnati Reds secured a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs by clinching the National League's final wild-card position, edging out the New York Mets due to their 4-2 head-to-head season series advantage. Despite losing their last game to the Milwaukee Brewers, the Reds benefited from the Mets' collapse, which included 14 losses in their last 21 games, allowing Cincinnati to capitalize on their strong late-season performance, winning eight of their last eleven games. Key players like Miguel Andujar, who has posted a .322 average since joining the Reds, have contributed significantly to the team’s resurgence, bolstering their offense as they prepare to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Wild Card series. The Reds demonstrated resilience throughout the season, overcoming a six-game deficit behind the Mets as recently as September 5, and their postseason experience, including veterans like Gavin Lux and manager Terry Francona, adds depth to their playoff prospects. The final series opener is scheduled for September 20 at Dodger Stadium, with the Reds planning to start Hunter Greene as pitcher. This playoff berth marks the Reds' first full-season postseason appearance since 2013 and their 17th overall, highlighting a remarkable turnaround from earlier in the year when they hovered around .500.