Looking back at 5 Cardinals-Dodgers postseason series

2004 National League Division Series

The Cardinals came into this series as NL Central Division champions (105-57) and the Dodgers as NL West Division champions (93-69).

St. Louis’ lineup included Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen, Jim Edmonds and Larry Walker. The pitching staff included Matt Morris, Jeff Suppan, Woody Williams and closer Jason Isringhausen.

The Dodgers lineup included Adrian Beltre, Shawn Green, and Milton Bradley. Their pitching staff included Jeff Weaver, Odelis Perez, Jose Lima, and closer Eric Gagne.

In Game 1, the Cardinals jumped on the Dodgers early and didn’t let up. Larry Walker’s and Jim Edmonds homers in a five run third inning put the game away. Woody Williams pitched six solid innings and was relieved by a solid Cardinal bullpen in 8-3 win.

The Cardinals won Game 2, 8-3. Their bats kept adding runs throughout the game, with catcher Mike Matheny driving in four runs. Finally, the bullpen saved a faltering Jason Marquis in the fourth and shut down the Dodgers the rest of the way.

In Game 3, Dodger starting pitcher Jose Lima managed to shut down the Cardinals explosive offense and pitch a complete game 5 hit shutout for a 4-0 win. This was a first postseason win for the Dodgers since the 1988 World Series and forced a game four.

However, in Game 4, a combination of Jeff Suppan’s pitching performance and Albert Pujols three run homer in the fourth inning put the game and the series away.

The Cardinals would go on to the NLCS and defeat the Houston Astros four games to three, but eventually lose the 2004 World Series to the Boston Red Sox in four games.