As the 2025 MLB regular season heads into its final weekend, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Three playoff spots are still up for grabs — two in the American League and one in the National League.
The drama on the diamond is just getting started. With the Boston Red Sox already securing their place in October, attention now turns to teams on the brink: the Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros, and a handful of other contenders fighting for survival in the postseason race.
Every pitch, every swing, and every managerial decision over the next couple of days could decide who moves on — and who watches from home. It’s the kind of tension that makes baseball in late September absolutely electric.
National League Playoff Race: Reds Hold the Cards
The most compelling NL storyline centers on the Cincinnati Reds. This franchise is aiming for only its second playoff berth since 2013.
Friday’s victory over the Brewers, paired with the Mets’ loss, left both clubs deadlocked at 82-78. But since Cincinnati owns the head-to-head tiebreaker, they’ve got the inside track.
Here’s the situation: Cincinnati doesn’t need to outperform the Mets — just keep pace. Two wins in their final two games would guarantee their ticket to October.
The Mets have stumbled badly down the stretch, dropping 16 of their last 25 contests. That’s given the Reds a golden opportunity to capitalize.
Milwaukee Eyes Top Seed
The already playoff-bound Milwaukee Brewers have a different goal in mind. They want to secure the National League’s No. 1 seed.
With a one-game lead over the Phillies and the head-to-head tiebreaker, the Brewers just need one more win this weekend to lock in home-field advantage throughout the NL playoffs. That’s a big deal for Milwaukee.
A top seed could mean facing a lower-ranked opponent in the first round. It also means controlling the postseason tempo with home games at American Family Field, where they’ve been tough all season.
American League Drama: Astros on the Brink
In the American League, the pressure is squarely on the Houston Astros. Since 2017, Houston has been a postseason fixture, winning pennants and a World Series along the way.
But that streak is in real danger after a tough loss to the Angels on Friday dropped them one game behind the Detroit Tigers in the Wild Card race. To stay alive, Houston has to sweep the Angels in their final series.
Even then, they’ll need help — specifically, losses from either the Tigers or the Cleveland Guardians — to keep their season going. It’s a razor-thin margin for error, and one misstep could end a remarkable era of consistency.
Other AL Contenders
The Tigers and Guardians hold the keys to the final two AL spots. Detroit controls its own destiny, while Cleveland remains in the mix.
A single win from either over the weekend could shut the door on Houston’s hopes. That sets up an intense scoreboard-watching scenario for Astros fans.
Saturday’s Crucial Matchups
Saturday’s games are packed with postseason implications. Key showdowns include:
- Reds vs. Brewers — Cincinnati aiming to keep pace or pull ahead of the Mets.
- Mets vs. Marlins — New York fighting to stay alive despite a slump.
- Astros vs. Angels — Houston in must-win mode, with no margin for error.
- Tigers vs. White Sox — Detroit looking to clinch their spot outright.
- Phillies vs. Nationals — Philadelphia still in play for the NL’s top seed.
Final Weekend Forecast
These last two days feel like a mini postseason—high drama, high tension, and honestly, a lot of nerves. For some clubs, hope and heartbreak are both lurking right around the corner.
The beauty of baseball’s 162-game grind? Even in Game 162, everything can flip in a heartbeat.
Cincinnati has a rare shot to make something happen. Houston’s fighting to keep their dynasty alive.
Milwaukee just wants that edge for October.
Right now, everyone’s glued to every pitch and swing as the 2025 regular season barrels toward its wild finish.
Here is the source article for this story: MLB playoff races: Top storylines as as Reds seek playoff return, Astros look to keep postseason streak alive
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