Looking back at 5 Cardinals-Dodgers postseason series

2013 National League Championship Series

The Cardinals came into this series as NL Central division champions (97-65) and the Dodgers as NL West division champions (92-70).

The Cardinals lineup included Yadier Molina, Matt Holiday, Carlos Beltran, and David Freese. The pitching staff included 19-game winner Adam Wainwright, Shelby Miller, Lane Lynn and closer Edward Mujica.

The Dodgers lineup included Adrian Gonzelez, Hanley Ramiriz, Juan Uribe, and Yasiel Puig. Their pitching staff included the soon-to-be-named Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw, Zach Greinke, Hyu Jin Ryu and closer Kenley Jansen.

Game 1 turned into a 13-inning pitching duel, but was finally decided when Carlos Beltran hit a double of Kenley Jansen that scored Daniel Descalso from second, which gave the Cardinals a 3-2 win.

Game 2 was another pitching duel, this time between Michael Wacha and Clayton Kershaw. While Kershaw was better, allowing only 2 hits, Michael Wacha got the 1-0 win. Wacha only allowed 5 hits and Trevor Rosenthal struck out the side in the ninth inning to secure the win.

Game 3 was another low scoring affair, but this time it came at the expense of Adam Wainwright and the Cardinals. Hyun-jin Ryu pitched seven shut out innings and the Dodgers won 3-0.

Game 4 saw the Cardinals jump on top by scoring three runs in the third inning off a double by Matt Carpenter and a home run by Matt Holliday. The Dodgers were never able to catch up and the Cardinals won 4-2 to take a 3-1 series lead.

In Game 5, Dodgers bats came alive and Zack Greinke pitched seven strong innings for a 6-4 win, and lived to fight another day. Kenley Jansen held off a two-run rally in the ninth to secure the win for the Dodgers.

Game 6 turned out to be anti-climatic with the Cardinals scoring four runs in the third inning and five in the fifth inning. Kershaw was credited with giving up seven earned runs and 10 hits in a Cardinals 9-0 victory. Michael Wacha earned the win and the NLCS MVP Award. The Cardinals earned their 19th NL Pennant.

The Cardinals went on to face the Boston Red Sox in the World Series, hoping to win their 12th World Championship, but lost the series four games to two.