Mets' Disappointing Collapse Paves Way for Reds' Playoff Berth

The New York Mets concluded their 2025 season with a 4-0 loss to the Miami Marlins on September 28, marking the end of a campaign characterized by a significant collapse. After starting the season strong with a record of 45-24 on June 12, the Mets fell to a disappointing 83-79, missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year. This defeat not only eliminated the Mets from postseason contention but also allowed the Cincinnati Reds to clinch the final National League wild card spot.

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The Mets' decline began in June, where they went 38-55 in the second half of the season, including two seven-game losing streaks and an eight-game skid. They held a six-game lead over the Reds as recently as September 5 but faltered dramatically in the final weeks. The Mets' inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities was evident in their final game, where they finished 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left ten runners on base.

The Record (New Jersey)

The Cincinnati Reds secured their playoff berth despite losing 4-2 to the Milwaukee Brewers on the same day. The Reds needed either a win or a Mets loss to clinch the final wild card, and they got the latter. Both teams finished the season with identical records of 83-79, but the Reds advanced due to winning the season series against the Mets 4-2. This marks the Reds' first playoff appearance in a full season since 2013 and their first postseason trip since 2020.

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Mets manager Carlos Mendoza expressed disappointment in the team's performance, stating, "We had the talent to compete, but we didn't execute when it mattered." Reds manager Terry Francona, reflecting on his team's journey, noted, "We’ve felt we’ve been playing playoff baseball for a while. This is what you sign up for."

New York Post

Critics of the Mets have pointed to the team's high payroll of $340 million, the largest in MLB, as indicative of their failure to meet expectations. The collapse has drawn comparisons to previous seasons in 2007 and 2008, where the Mets also failed to reach the playoffs after holding significant leads late in the season.

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The Reds will face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL wild card series, beginning on September 30. The Mets, on the other hand, will enter a long offseason, facing questions about their roster and management decisions after a season filled with unmet expectations.

Cincinnati Enquirer

• “We’ve felt we’ve been playing playoff baseball now for awhile,” — Terry Francona, Reds Manager

Cincinnati Enquirer

The Mets' failure to capitalize on their early-season success has left fans and analysts questioning the future direction of the franchise, while the Reds celebrate a hard-fought return to the postseason.

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