2015 NLDS Game 5 vs Cardinals

Lore & Background

The two teams previously met in the pre-modern 1885 and 1886 World Series, which ended in a tie and Browns (Cardinals) victory, respectively, when the then Chicago White Stockings of the NL played against the then St. Louis Browns of the American Association (AA). The first series meeting between the two teams was actually played in four cities — not only St. Louis and Chicago, but also Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. The 1885 series ended in dispute with no winner. The 1886 series included the '$15,000 slide' in Game 6, when Curt Welch scored on a wild pitch to win the championship for the Browns.

In Their Own Story

October air chilled the bleachers, but the energy inside Wrigley burned hot. As Fowler tightened his grip on the bat, the stadium held its breath. The crack of the bat cut through the noise, and when the ball cleared the fence, the collective release of tension shook the stands. It was a singular moment where history dissolved into pure joy for the North Side.

Reader's Guide

The Cubs won three straight pennants from 1906 to 1908 and two World Series during that time. The Cardinals won their first NL pennant and World Series in 1926. The Cubs' championship run stopped in 1908; their pennant wins stopped in 1945, and they did not win another until 2016. The Cardinals have won the World Series 11 times, the most of any National League team. The 2015 NLDS was the teams' only MLB playoff meeting; the Cubs won 3–1.

Did You Know?

• The Cardinals–Cubs rivalry is also called the Route 66 rivalry and the I-55 rivalry.
• The Cubs lead the regular season series 1,287–1,233–19.
• The teams' only MLB playoff meeting was the 2015 NLDS, won by the Cubs 3–1.
• The 1885 pre-modern World Series between the teams ended in a tie; the 1886 series was won by the Browns (Cardinals).