Cincinnati Reds Playoff Scenarios: What Needs to Happen to Make Postseason

Here are the scenarios.

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona looks on from the dugout in the ninth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. The Reds won, 2-1. | Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Cincinnati Reds start a three-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night and they're one game back of the New York Mets for the third and final National League Wild Card spot.

The Mets will face the Marlins for three games to close out the season.

Below is what needs to happen for the Reds to clinch a postseason spot.

If the Reds go 3-0, they need the Mets to lose one game. The Diamondbacks will not matter in that scenario.

If the Reds go 2-1, they will need the Mets to lose twice. The Diamondbacks will not matter in that scenario.

If the Reds go 1-2, they'll need the Mets to get swept and the Diamondbacks to lose one time.

If the reds get swept, they will be mathematically eliminated from the postseason.

Zack Littell will start on the mound for Cincinnati on Friday night. Priester will start for Milwaukee. The Brewers have won 19 straight games when Priester has started.

Friday's game is scheduled to begin at 8:10 ET.

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