Looking back at 5 Cardinals-Dodgers postseason series

LOS ANGELES - OCTOBER 16: Andy Van Slyke #18 of the St. Louis Cardinals reaches for the catch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game 6 of the National League Championship Series on October 16, 1985 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES - OCTOBER 16: Andy Van Slyke #18 of the St. Louis Cardinals reaches for the catch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game 6 of the National League Championship Series on October 16, 1985 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images) /
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Ryan Ludwick #47 of the St. Louis Cardinals at bat against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on June 9, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
Ryan Ludwick #47 of the St. Louis Cardinals at bat against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on June 9, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images) /

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.