Reds Control Final NL Wild-Card Spot

With six games remaining, the Cincinnati Reds (80-76) control the final National League wild‑card spot — tied with the New York Mets but holding the head‑to‑head tiebreaker, with the Arizona Diamondbacks one game back. Cincinnati has surged, winning five straight and sweeping key rivals to earn the tiebreaker, while New York has collapsed from an MLB‑best position in June, losing 11 of 15 amid injuries including Kodai Senga’s June hamstring strain. If the Reds reach the wild‑card series, Hunter Greene is lined up to start Game 1 on Sept. 30 and Cincinnati would most likely visit the NL West champion (likely the Dodgers unless standings shift). The situation highlights a stark payroll contrast — the Mets near $341 million versus the Reds around $119 million — as Cincinnati enters a decisive final week. The Reds finish at home against the Pirates before a trip to Milwaukee, while the Mets close at Wrigley and then travel to Miami, making the coming week pivotal for both clubs' postseason hopes.