How can the New York Mets reach the postseason as final NL wildcard?

Rodney Knuppel

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How can the New York Mets reach the postseason as final NL wildcard? image

We are down to the final day of the 2025 MLB regular season.

There are 11 teams in the postseason, and one more that will seal its fate today.

Two teams are battling for one spot.

The Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets are both 83-78 as the sun comes up Sunday morning.

So what needs to happen for the Mets to reach the postseason? The Mets, who led the National League East for a chunk of the season, held a postseason spot for nearly all season.

1. The Mets MUST beat the Miami Marlins on Sunday. It's Sean Manaea for New York against Edward Cabrera for the Marlins. Miami beat the Mets on Friday, and New York bounced back on Saturday. This game is played at loanDepot Park in Miami, where the Mets are 37-43 on the road. New York beat around Cabrera the last time they met on August 30, going just four innings, allowing eight hits and five runs.

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2. The Cincinnati Reds MUST lose to the Milwaukee Brewers. Yes, the top-seeded Milwaukee Brewers. But the Brewers have wrapped up the No. 1 seed and do not have a ton to play for. It's Freddy Peralta, though, for Milwaukee. He leads the National League in wins, with 17. He is holding a 2.68 ERA and if Paul Skenes did not exist we would be talking about a potential Cy Young award. Brady Singer goes for Cincinnati. He is 14-11 on the season, with a 3.95 ERA. Cincinnati won the first two games 3-1 and 7-4.

Whoever DOES get in the postseason will start their series Tuesday at Dodger Stadium against the defending World Series Champion Dodgers.

Buckle up for three hours of baseball to decide the final spot.

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Rodney Knuppel

Rodney Knuppel is a freelance writer for The Sporting News. When not watching, listening or writing about sports, Rodney enjoys following the travels of his three kids, who are all active in their own sports and activities. A huge St. Louis Cardinals fan, Rodney also enjoys St. Louis Blues hockey and is a big Kansas Jayhawks basketball fan.