After 161 games, it all comes down to this. Sunday marks the last day of the 2025 MLB regular season, and there are still three significant storylines in play as it all wraps up.
One playoff spot is still up for grabs, and two division titles are on the line. What exactly is at stake on the final day of the regular season?
Here are the top MLB storylines entering Sunday:
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Mets or Reds, who will win the final NL wild-card spot?
The task for the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday is simple. Win and they are in. On the final day of the 2025 MLB regular season, the Reds and New York Mets are still in contention for the final playoff spot. Both teams have 83-78 records entering Sunday, but the Reds hold the tiebreaker after winning the season series 4-2. If both teams finish with the same record, the Reds would secure the final playoff spot in the NL. The only thing that can sink Cincinnati is if they lose and the Mets win. In every other scenario, the Reds are in.
For the Mets, in order to stay alive, the team needs to win Sunday. A loss would immediately eliminate them, as they would, at best, have the same record as the Reds when the season ends. Even if the Mets win, though, the team would need the Reds to lose for New York to grab that final playoff spot.
Can Yankees topple Blue Jays in AL East?
The New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays are in the playoffs, but only one team can win the AL East crown. New York and Toronto enter Sunday with 93-68 records. Toronto is in the driver’s seat there, as the team holds the tiebreaker over New York after taking the season series. All the Blue Jays need to do Sunday is win in order to secure the AL East title. They can also clinch the title if both teams lose.
The Yankees find themselves in a similar spot to the Mets. New York needs to win Sunday, but also needs the Blue Jays to lose in order for the Yankees to win the AL East.
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There’s a significant advantage to winning the division. Whichever team comes out on top Sunday will earn the No. 1 seed in the American League and would immediately get a bye until the division series.
The team that wins the wild card would have to turn around and immediately play in a best-of-three series in the playoffs.
Can Guardians beat Tigers for AL Central Crown?
The same scenario is in play in the AL Central. After a miraculous September comeback, the Cleveland Guardians have the edge Sunday. The team holds the tiebreaker over the Detroit Tigers for the AL Central crown. All Cleveland needs to do is win to clinch the division. Even if the Guardians lose, they can still win the AL Central if the Tigers also lose.
The Tigers must win Sunday to have a chance to win the division. Even then, they would also need to Guardians to lose in order to take the AL Central. If both teams finish with the same record, Detroit would receive a wild-card spot.
The team that wins the AL Central will be the No. 3 seed in the AL and will play in the wild-card round. They’ll have home-field advantage in that series, so there is plenty of incentive to win the division.
Sunday’s notable games
Detroit Tigers at Boston Red Sox, 3:05 p.m. ET
Baltimore Orioles at New York Yankees, 3:05 p.m. ET
Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays, 3:07 p.m. ET
Texas Rangers at Cleveland Guardians, 3:10 p.m. ET
New York Mets at Miami Marlins, 3:10 p.m. ET
Cincinnati Reds at Milwaukee Brewers, 3:10 p.m. ET
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