2009 National League Division Series
The Cardinals came into this series as NL Central division champions (91-71) and the Dodgers as NL West division champions (95-67).
The Cardinals lineup included Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina, Matt Holliday and Ryan Ludwick. The pitching staff included 19-game winner Adam Wainwright, 17-game winner Chris Carpenter, Kyle Lohse and closer Ryan Franklin.
The Dodgers lineup included Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and Manny Ramirez. Their pitching staff had Clayton Kershaw, Randy Wolf, Chad Billingsley and closer Jonathan Broxton.
The most notable aspect of the first game is neither starters, Randy Wolf and Chris Carpenter, were very effective. The Dodgers got a two-run homer from Matt Kemp off Carpenter in the first inning to take a lead they would never relinquish, winning 5-3 in a nearly four-hour game.
Game 2 saw an incredible pitching duel between Adam Wainwright and Clayton Kershaw. Wainwright’s jewel was however ended in the ninth, when Cardinals closer Ryan Franklin gave up two runs, and the Dodgers won 3-2.
Game 3 saw the Dodgers starting pitcher, Vicente Pidella dominate the Cardinals, allowing no runs through 7 innings. Andre Ethier’s three run homer in the third, would be all the Dodgers needed in a 5-1 win and sweep the series.
The Dodgers would advance to the NLCS vs the Phillies, but lose 4 games to 1.