With the D-backs officially eliminated from the playoffs on Friday, the final NL Wild Card spot comes down to two teams: the Reds and Mets.
Here’s where things stand entering both clubs’ regular-season finales on Sunday. The Mets (83-78) beat the Marlins, 5-0, on Saturday to temporarily take a half-game lead in the standings, but the Reds (83-78) answered with a 7-4 win over the Brewers to tie things back up. Cincinnati won the season series against New York (4-2 record) to secure a pivotal tiebreaker advantage, so if the two clubs end play on Sunday with the same record, the Reds would claim the third NL Wild Card spot.
These are the different scenarios where the Reds or Mets could clinch a playoff berth:
Reds clinch if ...
- Reds win at Brewers (regardless of what Mets do)
- Reds lose at Brewers AND Mets lose at Marlins
Mets clinch if ...
- Reds lose at Brewers AND Mets win at Marlins
Cincinnati’s tiebreaker advantage has made its clinch scenario much easier. If they either beat the Brewers or the Mets lose to the Marlins, the Reds will earn the final Wild Card spot. On Sunday, Brady Singer will toe the rubber for Cincinnati against Brewers ace Freddy Peralta. Lefty Sean Manaea will start for the Mets on Sunday against Miami’s Edward Cabrera.
Whichever team claims the final Wild Card berth will travel to Los Angeles to face the Dodgers in the NL Wild Card Series. The best-of-three series begins Tuesday, with all games taking place at Dodger Stadium.