MLB playoff picture: What does Mets-Marlins mean for NL playoffs?

Game update: New York’s 5-0 win over Miami keeps them alive in the playoff chase.

The 2025 Major League Baseball season begins its final weekend of play today.

And with three teams battling for two spots in the American League, two teams fighting for the final spot in the National League, and a host of division titles and seedings left to determine, the final weekend of play could be one for the ages.

One of the biggest games of the slate takes place in Miami, where the Miami Marlins host the New York Mets. The Marlins will be watching the playoffs at home with the rest of us, but the Mets -- with their big payroll -- are one of two teams fighting for the final Wild Card spot.

Let’s dive into the playoff implications for this game.

The Marlins have a 78-82 record and have been eliminated from postseason contention. But they can certainly play the role of spoiler this weekend against the Mets.

New York enters the final weekend of play with an 82-78 record, which has them in the fight for the final Wild Card spot in the National League. However, that is the same record as the Cincinnati Reds, the team they are fighting with.

Complicating matters for the Mets is the fact that Cincinnati has already clinched the season series between the two teams and the pivotal tiebreaker. If the Mets and the Reds finish the season with identical records, the Reds are in, and the Mets are out.

Here is what the Mets need this weekend to clinch a playoff spot. They can get in with a pair of losses by Cincinnati and at least one win over Miami. Or, with two wins this weekend, and at least one loss by the Reds, the Mets are in the playoffs.

New York can also be eliminated today if they lose to the Marlins, and the Reds defeat the Milwaukee Brewers. The Mets are also knocked out of playoff contention if the Reds beat Milwaukee in both games this weekend, or the Mets lose both of their games on Saturday and Sunday.