After an intense 161 games, the 2025 MLB regular season comes down to a thrilling conclusion on Sunday. With the final day of play, three major playoffs and division title scenarios remain unresolved, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
The Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets are tied with identical records at 83-78, vying for the last National League wild-card spot. The Reds hold the tiebreaker over the Mets, having won the season series 4-2, which means Cincinnati will claim the playoff spot with either a win or a Mets loss. The Mets’ only path to continue their season is a win on Sunday coupled with a Reds’ defeat.
Over in the American League, the tension is palpable as the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays are locked in a battle for the AL East crown. Both teams boast records of 93-68. Toronto gains an advantage with the season series tiebreaker, needing just a win or concurrent losses from both teams to clinch the title. The Yankees’ hope rests on winning their game while hoping for a Blue Jays loss to claim the division.
The AL Central division race is equally compelling. The Cleveland Guardians, who have surged in September, hold the tiebreaker advantage over the Detroit Tigers. A Guardians victory guarantees them the division title, but a loss would render them vulnerable if the Tigers manage to clinch a win. In such a scenario, Detroit would still fall short of the title but secure a wild-card spot thanks to their strong finish.
Division titles carry significant perks. The AL East victor seizes the No. 1 seed, earning a bye to the division series, while the AL Central winner becomes the No. 3 seed and benefits from home-field advantage in their wild-card series.
Key games to keep an eye on include Detroit at Boston, Baltimore at New York, Tampa Bay at Toronto, Texas at Cleveland, New York at Miami, and Cincinnati at Milwaukee, all kicking off in the afternoon. Sunday’s outcomes will carve the path into the 2025 playoffs, setting the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating postseason.