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 series finale between the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates is critical in the race for the National League's final playoff berth.

That looked like it might be the way things were going for Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitcher Connor Phillips. He made his last of five MLB outings in 2023 as a fill-in starter for the 161st game of the season. He threw 12 consecutive balls to begin the outing and was pulled as the Reds went on to lose, 15-6.

The Cincinnati Reds beat the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night. With Friday's win and the Mets loss to the Marlins, they now control their own destiny to make the postseason with just two games remaining. Their magic number is two to eliminate the New York Mets and one to eliminate the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Cincinnati Reds have put themselves in position to earn their first playoff berth since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season while keeping the free-spending New York Mets out of the postseason.

Read more about the Cincinnati Reds' magic number to make the 2025 MLB postseason, what it means and how they can accomplish it.

The Cincinnati Reds own tiebreakers over the New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks, assuring a playoff berth if they tie either or both.

Major League Baseball released a list of the most popular jerseys this year and Cincinnati Reds All-Star Elly De La Cruz is among the leaders.

Gavin Lux hit two doubles and scored the go-ahead run as the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 3-1, overtaking the New York Mets for the third National League wild-card spot