Top News:
Barry M. Bloom / Sportico:
Playoff Window Slams Shut on Mets as Hectic 2025 Season Ends … This season, the Reds won four of their six games in head-to-head competition to send the Mets packing despite having identical 83-79 records. — “It's just straight-up disappointing,” Mets slugging first baseman Pete Alonso …
Discussion:
The Athletic
RELATED:
Jorge Castillo / ESPN:
Mets fumble final shot at October: 'It's a failure' — MIAMI — In the end, after an unfathomable 3½-month descent that suggested they were more bottom feeder than World Series contender, the New York Mets' assignment Sunday was simple: Beat the Miami Marlins and October baseball would follow.
Discussion:
SNY and baseballmusings.com
Associated Press:
Reds earn first playoff berth since 2020 as they capitalize on Mets collapsing — MILWAUKEE — This was the kind of moment that helped lure Terry Francona back into managing. — The Cincinnati Reds earned their first playoff berth since 2020 on Sunday, setting off a wild, champagne-soaked celebration.
Discussion:
Redleg Nation and Cincinnati.com
Associated Press:
Reds, Mets chasing final National League playoff spot on last day of regular season — MILWAUKEE — One playoff berth remains up for grabs heading into the final day of Major League Baseball's regular season. — Cincinnati will earn the National League's third and final wild card …
Discussion:
ESPN, Orlando Sentinel, Redleg Nation, Cincinnati.com, Yahoo Sports and Red Reporter
Barry M. Bloom / Sportico:
‘Smarter’ Brewers Overcome Payroll Cuts in World Series Quest — SAN DIEGO — It hardly seems like it, but it's been 20 years since Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio purchased the team for $223 million from then-commissioner Bud Selig and his family in 2005.
Discussion:
The Athletic and MLB.com
Associated Press:
Guardians clinch postseason spot with walk-off hit by pitch, complete historic turnaround — CLEVELAND — Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said in the midst of Cleveland's 10-game losing streak in early July that there was light at the end of the tunnel and things would turn around.
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated, ESPN, Plain Dealer and Boston Herald
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Tigers clinch playoff berth with 2-1 win over Red Sox in Game 161, avert September collapse — BOSTON — The Boston clinch party moved across the diamond. — Less than 24 hours after the Red Sox drenched the home clubhouse at Fenway Park to celebrate their postseason berth …
Discussion:
The Athletic, Bless You Boys, Boston.com and Boston Herald
Marlowe Alter / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers playoff-clinching win saves Tarik Skubal to start Game 1 of AL wild-card series
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports
NBCSports.com:
Red Sox at Yankees Wild Card Game 1 prediction: Odds, expert picks, pitching matchup, betting trends, stats — One of the great rivalries in sports is renewed Tuesday night when the New York Yankees host the Boston Red Sox in Game 1 of their Best of 3 Wild Card series.
Discussion:
New York Post, New Jersey Online, Boston Herald, The Athletic and masslive.com
Associated Press:
Mets All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso will opt out of contract and test free agency again — MIAMI — Pete Alonso will opt out of his contract with the New York Mets and enter free agency again this fall, the All-Star first baseman said after the team missed the playoffs.
Discussion:
Newsday, masslive.com, The Athletic, New York Post, MLB Trade Rumors, New York Daily News, Amazin' Avenue and New Jersey Online
Associated Press:
Blue Jays cap turnaround from worst to first by holding off Yankees to win seventh AL East crown — TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays capped a turnaround from worst to first by holding off the New York Yankees to win the AL East on the final day of the season, their first division title in a decade and the seventh in team history.
Discussion:
MLB.com, NorthJersey.com, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports and Pinstripe Alley
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Kershaw works 5 1/3 scoreless innings in final regular-season start as Dodgers top Mariners 6-1 — SEATTLE — Clayton Kershaw tossed 5 1/3 scoreless innings in the final regular-season start of his 18-year major league career and helped the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Seattle Mariners 6-1 on Sunday.
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports and Dodger Blue
ESPN:
Alek Manoah, cut loose by Blue Jays, lands with Braves — The Atlanta Braves on Friday claimed right-hander Alek Manoah, the former Cy Young contender whose struggles with the Toronto Blue Jays led to him being designated for assignment earlier this week. — After going 9-2 as a rookie in 2021 …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, Battery Power and MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Chicago Cubs place RHP Cade Horton on 15-day IL with right rib fracture — CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs placed Cade Horton on the 15-day injured list on Saturday, sidelining the right-hander for their first-round playoff series against San Diego. — Horton, one of the leading contenders …
Discussion:
ESPN, MLB.com, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun Times, The Athletic, MLB Trade Rumors, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Yahoo Sports and Associated Press
