Wild Card Race Intensifies with 10 Games Left
With just 10 games remaining in the 2025 regular season, the Cincinnati Reds find themselves in a high-stakes battle for the final National League Wild Card spot. After a crucial 6-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday, the Reds pulled their record back to .500 at 76-76. However, they remain two games behind the New York Mets, who currently occupy the coveted third Wild Card position.
The race is incredibly tight, with multiple teams vying for a postseason berth. As of Thursday, September 18, the standings are a logjam of contenders:
- New York Mets: 78-74
- Arizona Diamondbacks: 77-76 (1.5 games back)
- Cincinnati Reds: 76-76 (2.0 games back)
- San Francisco Giants: 76-76 (2.0 games back)
The Chicago Cubs (88-64) and San Diego Padres (83-69) hold the first two Wild Card spots, respectively, with the Cubs having already clinched their place in the playoffs.
Key Infielder Sidelined as Crucial Series Begins
Compounding the pressure of the playoff chase, the Reds are dealing with a key injury. Third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes was out of the lineup for the second consecutive day on Thursday as the team opened a pivotal four-game series against the Cubs. Manager Terry Francona told reporters that Hayes’ back has been “uncooperative,” a recurring issue for the infielder. Sal Stewart will continue to fill in at third base.
“We’re just going kind of day to day,” Francona said, acknowledging the unfortunate timing of the injury. Hayes has been a solid contributor since joining the Reds at the trade deadline, slashing .254/.327/.381 in 42 games.
A Look at the Remaining Schedules
The final stretch of the season presents a varied challenge for each of the contending teams. An analysis of the remaining schedules, as reported by digitaltrendstoday.com, suggests a difficult road ahead for some.
- Cincinnati Reds: Face a tough slate, including series against the playoff-bound Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers, with a series against the Pittsburgh Pirates sandwiched in between.
- New York Mets: Have a seemingly easier path with games against the Washington Nationals and Miami Marlins, but also face the formidable Cubs.
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Arguably have the most challenging schedule, with matchups against the Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Diego Padres—all teams currently in playoff position.
- San Francisco Giants: Face the first-place Dodgers before finishing with series against the St. Louis Cardinals and Colorado Rockies.
Player Performances Under the Microscope
As the season winds down, individual performances are becoming increasingly critical. First baseman Spencer Steer provided a major boost with a five-RBI performance in Wednesday’s win. However, All-Star shortstop Elly De La Cruz has been in a prolonged slump. Since the All-Star break, De La Cruz is hitting just .228/.291/.330 and has hit only one home run since July 31. His struggles have been noticeable both at the plate and in the field, where he has committed 24 errors this season.
The Reds will need their entire roster to step up, starting with the crucial series against the Cubs. Thursday’s opener features a pitching matchup between Cincinnati’s Hunter Greene (6-4, 3.01 ERA) and Chicago’s Colin Rea (10-6, 4.23 ERA). With their postseason hopes hanging in the balance, every game is now a must-win for Cincinnati as they look to control their own destiny and hope for some help along the way.
