Fri Sep 26 02:30:00 UTC 2025: **News Article:**

**Playoff Race Heats Up: Experts Favor Mets Over Tigers for Final Wild Card**

As the 2025 MLB regular season draws to a close, the playoff picture remains uncertain, with several teams battling for their postseason lives. While teams like the Brewers, Phillies, Dodgers, Blue Jays, Yankees, Padres, and Mariners have all but secured their spots, the Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Cleveland Guardians are engaged in a fierce fight for the remaining berths.

ESPN MLB experts Jesse Rogers and Alden Gonzalez have weighed in on the playoff chances of these bubble teams, and they agree: the Detroit Tigers are more likely to miss the playoffs than the New York Mets.

The Tigers, who once held a commanding 12.5-game lead in the AL Central, have suffered a stunning collapse, relinquishing their lead to the surging Cleveland Guardians. This setback has significantly jeopardized their playoff hopes.

Meanwhile, the Mets, despite a late-season slump, currently hold a narrow one-game lead over Cincinnati and Arizona for the final National League Wild Card spot. However, their reliance on rookie pitchers adds an element of uncertainty to their playoff bid. The Cincinnati Reds and Arizona Diamondbacks are hoping to upset the Mets by finishing strong and grabbing the final NL Wildcard spot.

With only a few games left, the final week promises to be a nail-biting finish for these teams and their fans.

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