We’ve reached the final weekend of the 2025 MLB regular season and there are two playoff spots left to be decided — one in the AL and one in the NL — after the Boston Red Sox punched their postseason ticket on Friday night.
Here are the top storylines entering Saturday in a chaotic finish for the 2025 MLB regular season:
[MLB playoffs 2025 tracker: Standings, schedule, clinch scenarios and more with 3 games to go]
Reds control their playoff destiny
The Cincinnati Reds play their final two games of the regular season knowing what they need to do in order to play postseason baseball for only the second time since 2013. After their 3-1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers Friday night and the Mets’ 6-2 loss to the Miami Marlins, the Reds know they only need to tie New York in the standings to play next week. Currently tied with the Mets at 82-78, if they win both of their remaining games, they are in.
Should the Mets and Reds end up tied in the wild-card standings, Cincinnati would clinch due to owning the head-to-head tiebreaker.
While the Reds have struggled over the past month with a 15-18 record in their last 33 games, the Mets have not help themselves separate from Cincinnati after losing 16 of their past 25 games.
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Brewers gunning for top spot in NL
The Brewers, meanwhile, have known their playoff status for a while, but have eyes on the No. 1 seed in the NL as they battle the Philadelphia Phillies for the overall top spot. With two games to play, Milwaukee holds a one-win advantage over the Phillies and also own the head-to-head tiebreaker after sweeping their regular-season series.
One win against the Reds this weekend would lock in Milwaukee as the NL’s top team.
Astros need wins and get help to keep playoff streak alive
The Houston Astros had the door opened for them Friday night with the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians both losing, but they couldn’t take advantage of the opportunity. A 4-3 loss to the Los Angeles Angels kept Houston a game behind Detroit for the AL’s final wild card spot.
What they learned is exactly what they need this weekend to secure a playoff spot: beat the Angels twice and hope the Tigers or Guardians lose both of their remaining games. The Astros have not missed the postseason since 2016. Since that quiet October nine years ago, the franchise has been to four World Series, winning twice.
Saturday’s notable games
Baltimore Orioles at New York Yankees, 1:05 p.m. ET
Tampa Bay Rays at Toronto Blue Jays, 3:07 p.m. ET
Detroit Tigers at Boston Red Sox, 4:10 p.m. ET
New York Mets at Miami Marlins, 4:10 p.m. ET
Detroit Tigers at Boston Red Sox, 4:10 p.m. ET
Minnesota Twins at Philadlephia Phillies, 6:05 p.m. ET
Cincinnati Reds at Milwaukee Brewers, 7:15 p.m. ET
Texas Rangers at Cleveland Guardians, 7:15 p.m. ET
Arizona Diamondbacks at San Diego Padres, 8:40 p.m. ET
Houston Astros at Los Angeles Angels, 9:40 p.m. ET
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