MLB Playoff Race Heats Up
Yankees Clinch Postseason Berth While Brewers Close In On Division Title
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Key Points
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Aaron Judge celebrated the Yankees’ postseason berth after hitting a three-run homer—his first since returning from the injured list. The blast was his 18th of the season and 386th of his career.
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Judge said the Yankees had “a great feeling” and “a special group,” but emphasized that the team still had “a lot of work to do” with 12 regular-season games remaining.
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The Mets went 3-for-16 with runners in scoring position, while Baltimore went 2-for-9; New York left seven runners in scoring position, including two by Benge.
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The Mets’ three national broadcasts will be split among ESPN on Wednesday, Fox on Thursday and Apple TV+ on Friday; the Apple TV+ game requires a subscription, while fans can listen to Howie Rose and Keith Raad on 880 AM during Rose’s final week.
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Milwaukee’s potential division clinch depended not only on a Brewers win over Pittsburgh but also on Atlanta defeating the Cubs; Milwaukee handed the start to right-hander Jacob Misiorowski, who entered at 14-5 with a 1.95 ERA.
The Yankees clinched an American League postseason berth Wednesday with an 8-3 win over Minnesota, while the Mets' playoff drought deepened with a 7-5 loss to Baltimore despite hitting five home runs. MLB.com reported that Aaron Judge hit a three-run homer—his 18th of the season and 386th of his career—to spark New York's clinching victory. The Mets' elimination marks their fourth postseason miss in six seasons under owner Steve Cohen, leaving them out of the playoffs again after a frustrating late-season collapse.
Judge said the Yankees had "a great feeling" and represented "a special group," but cautioned the team still had "a lot of work to do" with 12 regular-season games left. Meanwhile, Milwaukee opened its final road trip needing a win over Pittsburgh plus an Atlanta victory over Chicago to clinch a fourth straight National League Central title. Boston held the AL's second wild-card spot and needed five more wins to lock in a playoff berth.
Mets Fall Short Despite Five-Homer Performance
New York's bats came alive against Baltimore, connecting for five home runs, but the Mets squandered a golden opportunity. ESPN reported the team went just 3-for-16 with runners in scoring position and left 13 runners on base. Baltimore responded by going 2-for-9 in similar situations but made their hits count in the 7-5 victory. The Mets left seven runners stranded in scoring position, including two by rookie Carson Benge, highlighting their inability to convert power into runs when it mattered most.
The loss caps a disappointing stretch for the organization. Under Steve Cohen's ownership, the Mets have now missed the postseason in four of the last six seasons. New York's struggles came despite strong individual performances, demonstrating how inconsistent execution in key moments can doom a team's entire season.
Judge Powers Yankees Past Minnesota to Seal Playoff Spot
Aaron Judge announced his return from the injured list with a three-run blast that helped lift New York past the Twins. The Yankees' captain emphasized the team's collective strength, describing them as a "special group." With 12 games remaining in the regular season, Judge made clear the clinch was just a step toward the real goal—winning in October. New York Times reported the 8-3 victory marked a crucial milestone in the Yankees' push for a top playoff seeding.
Brewers One Win Away From Fourth Straight Division Title
Milwaukee enters the final week of the regular season poised to capture another NL Central crown. The Brewers opened their final road trip against Pittsburgh with right-hander Jacob Misiorowski on the mound. Misiorowski carried a 14-5 record and 1.95 ERA into the matchup. According to MLB.com, a Brewers win combined with an Atlanta victory over Chicago would clinch the division for Milwaukee and extend their dominance of the Central.
Broadcast Changes and Rose's Final Week at the Mic
The Mets' next three games air on national broadcasts, keeping them off local New York television. Wednesday's game airs on ESPN, Thursday on Fox, and Friday on Apple TV+ (which requires a paid subscription). The blackout from SNY lasts through Friday. Longtime Mets radio broadcaster Howie Rose will call games on 880 AM during his final week before retiring. SNY reports the team will honor Rose with a pregame ceremony Sunday.
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