The Cincinnati Reds rode an emotional rollercoaster on the last day of the 2025 MLB regular season. They clinched a postseason spot despite losing 4-2 to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Miami did them a favor. The Marlins beat the New York Mets, and that sealed Cincinnati’s spot in October baseball.
It was a wild end to a season where the Reds overcame a September slump and clawed back into contention. Now, they’re set to face the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers in the Wild Card round.
Reds Clinch Wild Card Spot in Dramatic Fashion
September wasn’t kind to the Reds at first. They trailed the Mets by as many as six games and even slipped below .500 twice.
But timely hitting and grit sparked a late surge. Cincinnati showed, yet again, that baseball never really follows a script.
From Early Lead to Tough Loss Against Brewers
In the season finale, the Reds wasted no time giving fans hope. Elly De La Cruz launched a 402-foot solo homer in the second inning to open the scoring.
One inning later, T.J. Friedl followed up with another long ball, making it 2-0. But starter Brady Singer kept running into trouble with runners on base.
Milwaukee’s Danny Jansen flipped the game in the fourth with a two-run homer, putting the Brewers up 3-2. Reds manager David Bell tried to spark something by bringing in Nick Lodolo on short rest.
Lodolo gave up another run. That made it 4-2, and the Reds never caught up.
The Marlins’ Role in Cincinnati’s Playoff Push
While the Reds battled in Milwaukee, a lot of attention shifted to Miami. The Marlins faced the Mets with playoff hopes on the line.
Miami jumped out to a 4-0 lead. The Mets made it interesting late, and Pete Alonso nearly tied it with a deep fly ball that just missed going out.
Miami hung on. Their win knocked New York out and gave Cincinnati the postseason spot via the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Tiebreaker Rules Secure Reds’ Spot
Both teams finished 83-79. Because the Reds played better in earlier matchups with the Mets, they got the nod according to MLB’s tiebreaker rules.
It’s wild how every game really matters over a 162-game grind, isn’t it?
Looking Ahead: Dodgers Await
Next up, Cincinnati faces a huge test. They’ll take on the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers in a best-of-three Wild Card series, starting September 30 at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers boast one of the league’s scariest lineups and pitching staffs. Still, the Reds have shown that determination can sometimes even the odds in October.
Keys to Success Against Los Angeles
If the Reds want to pull off an upset, a few things have to go right:
- Pitching Efficiency: They absolutely need to limit base runners against the Dodgers’ offense.
- Power Hitting: Homers from De La Cruz, Friedl, or anyone else could change a game in a heartbeat.
- Defensive Sharpness: Mistakes in the field just can’t happen against a team like L.A.
Brewers Make Franchise History
Milwaukee’s big day got a little lost in the Reds’ drama. Their 97th win not only spoiled Cincinnati’s finale but also set a new franchise record for victories.
The Brewers head into the playoffs with confidence and a roster that’s delivered all season long. They’re a balanced group, and honestly, they deserve some attention too.
A Season of Highs and Lows
This final day really captured baseball’s wild energy—two games, separated by hundreds of miles, somehow shaping the destiny of several franchises.
The Reds face a tough road. Still, their gritty run through September shows they’re not backing down from what’s next.
Fans probably won’t forget this season. It wasn’t just the tense finish; it was the way the team kept fighting, even when everything seemed stacked against them.
Now, with October right around the corner, Cincinnati steps onto baseball’s brightest stage.
They’re chasing a dream that, honestly, didn’t feel possible just a few weeks back. In baseball—and maybe in life—hope sticks around until the very last out.
Here is the source article for this story: Can the Reds win to reach MLB postseason? Live updates
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