Overview

• Cincinnati and New York finished 83-79, with the Reds advancing via a 4-2 head-to-head edge after the Mets lost 4-0 to the Marlins.
• The Reds fell 4-2 to the Brewers earlier Sunday, then celebrated after watching the Mets’ final out; it is their first postseason since 2020 and their first final-day clinch in a 162-game season, per Elias.
• In his first season after a year away, Terry Francona steered Cincinnati back to October for his 12th postseason as a manager, echoing his first-year playoff run in Cleveland.
• Cincinnati surged from six games back on Sept. 5 by winning eight of its last 11 as the Mets faded following a strong first half.
• Trade-deadline additions Miguel Andujar, Ke’Bryan Hayes and Zack Littell bolstered the roster, and the Reds now face a Dodgers team they went 1-5 against in the regular season.