Reds Tie Mets for Final NL Wild-Card Spot

The Cincinnati Reds are inching toward snapping their postseason drought. After a big 3-1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers, they’re suddenly on the verge of their first playoff berth since 2020.

Thanks to the Miami Marlins beating the New York Mets 6-2, the Reds are now tied with New York for the last National League wild-card spot. Cincinnati holds the tiebreaker, which is huge. In a season that’s been anything but predictable, the Reds are closer to October baseball—a stage where they haven’t really thrived in nearly thirty years.

Cincinnati’s Crucial Win and Wild-Card Race

Beating Milwaukee wasn’t just another win for the Reds. It felt like a statement.

This late push has put them ahead of the Mets, whose $322.6 million payroll hasn’t exactly delivered the results fans expected. Cincinnati’s grit, mixed with New York’s stumbles, keeps the playoff door wide open for the Reds.

How the Standings Shifted Overnight

While the Reds took care of business against Milwaukee, the Marlins knocked the Mets back with that win. Meanwhile, Arizona’s 7-4 loss to San Diego officially eliminated the Diamondbacks from contention.

The NL wild-card picture got a lot clearer. At this point in the season, every game feels like it carries extra weight for Cincinnati.

The Reds’ Path Through Adversity

Since mid-August, Cincinnati hasn’t exactly been on fire. They’ve gone just 15-18 over their last 33 games.

But the Mets’ collapse has kept them in the mix. New York, once flying high at 45-24 in mid-June, has since fallen apart with a 37-54 stretch. It’s a pretty wild turnaround.

Leadership in the Dugout

Manager Terry Francona has been a steady hand in the dugout this year. After stepping away from the game, Francona returned and brought a calm, steadying influence to a team that needed it.

He gets what’s at stake. His experience is showing as the Reds try to hold their nerve.

Veteran Presence on the Field

Left fielder Gavin Lux, who’s got two World Series rings, has turned into both a competitor and a motivator. He keeps telling the younger guys—“game by game”.

On a roster still figuring things out, Lux’s championship experience could be the edge that gets them over the line.

Breaking Historical Barriers

The Brewers remain a major obstacle. Cincinnati has dropped 13 straight series to Milwaukee.

That’s a pretty serious mental and statistical hurdle. Breaking that streak would mean more than just a playoff spot; it’d send a message as October approaches.

What’s at Stake for Cincinnati

The Reds haven’t reached the postseason in a full season since 2013. Their last playoff series win? 1995.

This isn’t just about getting to October. It’s about shaking off years of missed chances.

Potential milestones include:

• First full-season playoff appearance in over a decade
• Ending a playoff series win drought that stretches back to 1995
• Overcoming a long-standing dominance by the Brewers
• Validating Francona’s first season in Cincinnati with a postseason berth

The Road Ahead

Every game left matters. The Reds hold the tiebreaker over the Mets, but nothing’s locked in yet.

Consistency, focus, and maybe a little luck will decide if Cincinnati finally makes it back to October.

Final Thoughts

The Cincinnati Reds have battled through inconsistency. They’ve faced historical challenges and the pressure of a tight playoff race.

Francona brings steady leadership. Lux shows up with that calm, veteran mindset fans crave.

There’s a real chance to erase nearly three decades of postseason disappointments. The team’s fate? It’s in their own hands now.

If they can finally topple Milwaukee and hang onto their wild-card edge, Cincinnati might just get to celebrate baseball deep into the fall. Wouldn’t that be something?

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Here is the source article for this story: Reds tie Mets for NL’s 3rd and final wild-card spot