The chance for a large number of teams tying for the bottom four slots in the NL came to an end last night as the Reds and Marlins both clinched playoff berths. That does leave the Phillies, Cardinals, Brewers, and Giants with a chance to tie for two spots, but with two days to go in the season that probability is just two percent. Milwaukee would need to win both their remaining games against the Cardinals, the Phillies would need to win both their games against the Rays, and the Giants would need to split. That would put all four teams at .500. It’s not clear at that point if the Monday doubleheader between the Cardinals and the Tigers would be played. All four teams would be at .500, and all the possible tie-breakers would be completed.

Congratulations to the Marlins on their playoff berth:

The Marlins (30-28) became just the second team in MLB history to reach the postseason the season after losing at least 100 games, joining the 2017 Minnesota Twins. Their 16-season playoff drought was the second-longest active streak in the majors, behind the Seattle Mariners (18). The Marlins have been to the playoffs only twice before in franchise history — they won the World Series both times.

The playoff clincher Friday also came on the anniversary of Jose Fernandez’s death. The former Marlins ace died in a boating accident four years ago, something not lost on Mattingly postgame. 

“What we’ve been through, and then to do this on his day, what a feeling,” Mattingly said. 

ESPN.com

The Marlins join the Blue Jays, Reds, Padres, and White Sox as teams with losing records last season vying for the World Series title this year. The combination of a good rebuilding plan coupled with a season that rewards a .500 record gives all these teams a nice gift for their fans.

Congratulations to the Rays, as well, for clinching the best record in the American League. They are the little engine that could.