BREAKING: The Cincinnati Reds have just tied the New York Mets for the National League’s third and final wild-card playoff spot after a crucial 3-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night. This victory, combined with the Mets’ 6-2 loss to the Miami Marlins, keeps the Reds’ playoff hopes alive for the first time since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
With this latest development, the Reds now share the wild-card position with the Mets, whose staggering $322.6 million payroll leads all of Major League Baseball. However, the Reds hold the head-to-head tiebreaker, putting them in a favorable position as the season draws to a close.
“Obviously, I think we can start to feel it a little bit, but at the same time, we’ve got to take care of business,” said Reds left fielder Gavin Lux. “We’re not there yet still. We’ve just got to keep trying to win every pitch and take it game by game.”
The Reds currently sit at 82-78 and are looking to secure their spot in the playoffs for the first time in a non-pandemic season since 2013. Despite struggling with a record of just 15-18 over their last 33 games, they have capitalized on the Mets’ recent slump, who have lost 16 of their last 25 games.
Once leading the league with a record of 45-24 on June 12, the Mets have plummeted to a disappointing 37-54 since then. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza expressed determination following the loss, stating, “We’ve put ourselves in this position… We’ve got to come back tomorrow and the next day now. We’ve got to win the next two and see what happens.”
The stakes are incredibly high for the Reds, who have not won a postseason game since 2012 and have not advanced past the playoff series since 1995. Their chances of breaking this streak rest heavily on their ability to overcome their recent nemesis, the Brewers, against whom they have lost their last 13 series.
“It’d be kind of the perfect time to do it,” said Reds reliever Tony Santillan. “Season on the line, beat them, win against them and advance to the postseason by beating them. I feel like it’s been a while.”
Reds manager Terry Francona, a two-time World Series champion, acknowledged the pressure of the moment, saying, “This is as exciting as it gets… I’m nervous as hell.” His leadership and experience could be pivotal as the Reds navigate this critical final stretch.
As the final weekend of the regular season unfolds, fans are urged to keep an eye on the Reds and Mets’ impending matchups. Every game counts as they vie for a coveted playoff spot in what promises to be an electrifying culmination of the MLB season.
