MLB playoff picture: What does Reds-Brewers mean for NL playoffs?

Game update: With New York’s 5-0 win over Miami, the Reds cannot clinch a playoff spot today.

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

On the National League side of things two teams -- the Cincinnati Reds and the New York Mets -- are battling for the final Wild Card spot.

That makes tonight’s game between the Reds and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field one of the biggest games on the slate.

Let’s walk through the playoff implications for this game.

The Milwaukee Brewers have put together a magical season and, thanks to their 96-64 record, have already clinched the NL Central and a playoff spot.

However, they are in the fight for the top seed in the National League, where they are just one game ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies. They also hold a tiebreaker over Philadelphia, so either a win tonight or a Phillies loss to the Minnesota Twins, and the Brewers clinch the top spot in the NL.

Entering Saturday, the Reds and the New York Mets are tied with identical 82-78 records.

But Cincinnati already won the season series against the Mets, meaning the Reds hold the tiebreaker advantage. If the two teams finish with matching records, the Reds are moving on, and the Mets are heading home.

Here is how the Reds can clinch a playoff spot, starting today.

With a win today and a Mets’ loss to the Miami Marlins, the Reds are in the playoffs.

Cincinnati can also get in with wins today and tomorrow over Milwaukee, regardless of how the Mets fare in Miami.

The Reds can also get in if the Mets lose both of their remaining games, regardless of how Cincinnati fares against the Brewers.