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Well, folks, we made it. Today is the final day of the 2025 Major League season, and there are just a few things left at stake: The third and final National League Wild Card spot, the AL East, and the AL Central. If nothing else, there is still drama left to mine of this not-yet-dead season. But enough about the unknown. For now, let’s appreciate what Saturday left behind.
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Today’s Headlines
Reds Are Raring To Go
The Cincinnati Reds are hungry, and they’re not leaving Milwaukee without a clean plate. Cincy started its crusade against the Brewers on the right foot, putting men on and stressing starter Robert Gasser. What they couldn’t do was finish. That changed in the third with the Reds plating six en route to a smooth 7-4 win that has the Reds knocking on October’s doorstep. If they want in, all they have to do today is win. That’s it. What the Mets do is inconsequential if the Reds can take care of business. Should they, they’ll make the playoffs for the first time in five years.
Mets Live Another Day
If the New York Mets want their fans to believe, then yesterday’s 5-0 win over the Miami Marlins was a good start. Leading the way for New York was starter Clay Holmes, who, on just two days of rest, was masterful. Holmes coughed up just one hit over six scoreless innings. It was about as gutty a performance as New York could ask for. Matching Holmes was teammate Pete Alonso. The Polar Bear belted a go-ahead double in the first and a homer in the third, going 2-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. It was the rare complete win this 2025 squad’s often been exempt from. They’ll need another today if they even stand a chance to make the playoffs. They’ll also need some help from Milwaukee.
Detroit’s In
It wasn’t pretty, but the Detroit Tigers are still alive in their campaign for the AL Central. They’re also officially in the dance for the second-straight year, clinching a playoff spot following a 2-1 win over the Boston Red Sox. The game was decided by a two-run single from Detroit’s DH Jahmai Jones. Detroit wouldn’t muster more, nor would they need to. The bullpen muted Boston’s bats with relievers Brant Hurter, Rafael Montero, Tyler Holton, and Will Vest combining for four shutout innings and allowing just two hits between them. With the victory, it’s pretty simple for Detroit: Win today, hope Cleveland loses, and the Central is yours.
Cleveland’s Clinched
Tied 2-2 with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth and a playoff spot hanging in the balance, the Cleveland Guardians needed just one hit. Cleveland’s first baseman, CJ Kayfus, had the chance to be a hero. Instead, he became the victim of a hit-by-pitch. The pain, if he felt any, paled to the elation bubbling inside Progressive Field as the ramifications of the play came into view: The Guardians, who were just 67-66 a month ago, are going to the playoffs. Maybe what sealed it wasn’t the movie moment they, or Kayfus, could dream up, but they made it. They’re going back to October with a chance to wipe away the longest active championship drought in MLB history. Guardians win 3-2 and now have a chance to win the whole damn thing.
AL East Stays The Same
No changes are coming to the AL East standings. Both the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays won on Saturday, meaning things are the same as they were, with Toronto still on top thanks to a tiebreaker. In other words, Toronto needs to either win today or for New York to lose to clinch the division. But to get into yesterday’s action, the Blue Jays ravaged the Tampa Bay Rays, winning 5-1. Infielder Ernie Clement began the scoring while catcher Alejandro Kirk closed the door with a solo shot in the seventh. Pitching-wise, Toronto received another strong start from rookie Trey Yesavage. Carrying a 3.21 ERA in three starts, expect Yesavage to crack the postseason roster.
Meanwhile, in New York, Yankees star outfielder Aaron Judge continued his MVP-caliber campaign, cranking his 53rd homer of the season in a 6-1 win. The Bronx Bombers lived up to their namesake, with slugger Giancarlo Stanton and third baseman Ryan McMahon also going deep against the Baltimore Orioles. Cam Schlittler continued to steamroll opponents, this time allowing two hits in seven scoreless innings. He’s now down to a 2.96 ERA and could be the third man out of New York’s rotation come October.
Cubs Clinch Homefield
The Chicago Cubs came, saw, and conquered the St. Louis Cardinals 7-3 yesterday. Many a Cub played like the great Huns, but first baseman Michael Busch most resembled the mighty Attila. Busch began with a solo shot in the first before going deep again in the fifth. He’d also log a double and a triple, putting him a single shy of a cycle. St. Louis, though, never gave him the chance. They’d intentionally walk the slugger in the eighth. Alleviating Busch’s pain is the knowledge that the win clinches homefield advantage for the Cubs over the San Diego Padres in the upcoming Wild Card round. That series will officially start on Tuesday at Wrigley Field.
Astros Exit
For the first time since 2016, the Houston Astros will not play playoff baseball. Bear in mind, the following was true the last time the Astros missed the playoffs: Jose Altuve was 26, Alex Bregman was a rookie, Hamilton was just a fledgling show coming to the fore, we had different Batmen and Supermen, and Pokémon Go was omnipresent. The Astros in October were a constant. Now, no more.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Michael’s Milestone
One more note on Michael Busch.
Michael Busch is the 7th player in at least the last 125 seasons with two games with 13+ total bases in a season, joining:
2024 Kyle Schwarber
2005 Alex Rodriguez
1996 Geronimo Berroa
1986 Joe Carter
1961 Willie Mays
1948 Joe DiMaggio https://t.co/ACYiOXHrgO— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) September 27, 2025
Chap’s Catch
Sometimes, it takes a Gold Glover to play like one to win a baseball game — even when it’s against the Colorado Rockies.
Matt Chapman with the save … pic.twitter.com/dlYjJ2BQTL
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) September 27, 2025
El Mago
There’s winning baseball, then there’s potentially season-saving baseball. That’s what Tigers shortstop Javier Báez went for here.
Javier Baez LAYS OUT 🪄pic.twitter.com/xFxuAOl2Ie
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) September 27, 2025
Rojas Reacts
The Dodgers don’t have much to play for, but don’t tell that to Miguel Rojas.
Miguel Rojas luciendo su calidad a la defensiva. 😲 pic.twitter.com/yLCHKc1Hwp
— MLB Español (@mlbespanol) September 28, 2025
When Harry Met Freddie
Not quite a rom-com classic, yet still a beautiful story.
When Harry Ford collected his first MLB hit, his idol, Freddie Freeman, was there to meet him at first base.
This wasn't the first time they've crossed paths on a baseball field ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/D2vbYKxy0R
— MLB (@MLB) September 28, 2025
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ The Philadelphia Phillies will welcome star shortstop Trea Turner back into the fold today. The team activated Turner ahead of the regular-season finale as he works his way back from a right hamstring strain.
⚾ It wouldn’t be a day that ends with “y” without moves for the Mets. To start, the club placed third baseman Brett Baty on the 10-day IL, effectively ending his season. Baty exited Friday’s affair with side tightness that is now a right oblique strain. It ends a semi-breakout campaign for Baty, who’d finally found his footing in the Bigs. Infielder Jared Young is back from Syracuse to replace Baty on the roster. In other news, the club selected the contract of pitcher Dylan Ross and DFA’d reliever Kevin Herget. And to top it off, outfielder Jose Siri survived waivers and is going to Triple-A.
⚾ The San Diego Padres will be without outfielder Ramón Laureano in their upcoming playoff series. Laureano suffered a fracture in his index finger and will be on the 10-day IL for now. Infielder Will Wagner will fill Laureano’s shoes in the meantime.
⚾ Bad news in Chicago: Starter Cade Horton will miss at least one playoff series due to a right rib fracture. In 22 starts, Horton carried a 2.67 ERA. Needless to say, it’s a brutal blow. Southpaw Jordan Wicks replaces Horton on the roster.
⚾ The Los Angeles Dodgers are reuniting with starter Andrew Heaney. The club selected the southpaw to their active roster and optioned righty Will Klein.
⚾ Pitcher Dom Hamel is moving down South to Texas following a DFA from the Baltimore Orioles. The move essentially secures Hamel a home for 2026, should he survive the winter. To add Hamel, second baseman Marcus Semien went to the 60-day IL.
Articles You Should Read
Ready for a wild final day? Here’s everything at stake — Brent Maguire, MLB.com
Record SEVEN players have reached the 30-30 mark this season — MLB.com staff
Fantasy Baseball Coverage
