2013 NLDS
The 2013 NLDS featured the Cardinals defeating the Pirates 3–2 and the Dodgers defeating the Braves 3–1.
The 2013 National League Division Series were two best-of-five-game series on the National League side in Major League Baseball's 2013 postseason to determine the teams to participate in the 2013 National League Championship Series. The three divisional winners (seeded 1-3 based on record) and a fourth team — the winner of a one-game Wild Card playoff — played in two series. TBS carried most of the games, with some on MLB Network. These matchups were: (1) St. Louis Cardinals (Central Division champions) vs. (4) Pittsburgh Pirates (Wild Card Game winner): Cardinals win series 3–2. (2) Atlanta Braves (East Division champions) vs. (3) Los Angeles Dodgers (West Division champions): Dodgers win series 3–1.
- Series Result
- Cardinals won 3-2
- MVP
- David Freese (St. Louis Cardinals)
- Key Venue
- Dodger Stadium and Busch Stadium III
- Game Deciding Moment
- 9th inning of Game 5
- Notable Dodgers Pitcher
- Clayton Kershaw
- Series Context
- NLDS Round
Lore & Background
The Pirates made their first postseason appearance since 1992, and their first appearance in the Division Series in franchise history (and only one as of 2025). The Cardinals would go on to defeat the Dodgers in the NLCS, then lose the 2013 World Series to the American League champion Boston Red Sox.
In Their Own Story
The air at Busch Stadium was thick with humidity and tension as the ninth inning of Game 5 began. The Dodgers dug in, hoping for a miracle to send them back home, but the Cardinals' bullpen stood firm. David Freese stepped to the plate, the weight of the franchise on his shoulders. As the pitch crossed the zone, he swung with desperate power, sending the ball slicing into right field. The crowd erupted as he rounded the bases, the finality of the moment sealing a victory that would echo through St. Louis history.
Reader's Guide
The series between the Cardinals and Pirates was the first postseason meeting between the current National League Central division rivals. The Cardinals won the series 3–2. The Dodgers defeated the Braves 3–1 in the other series. Game 1 of the Dodgers-Braves series featured Clayton Kershaw striking out 12 Braves batters in seven innings, the third most strikeouts by a Dodger pitcher in the playoffs. His six straight strikeouts tied an MLB postseason record. The Dodgers won Game 1 6–1.
Did You Know?
- Adam Wainwright set a new NLDS record with seven runs in the third inning of Game 1.
- Carlos Beltrán's 16th playoff home run in Game 3 moved him past Babe Ruth for eighth place in postseason history.
- Michael Wacha held the Pirates to just three base runners through 7+1⁄3 innings in Game 4, the longest no-hitter length by a rookie pitcher since 1912.
- Game 5 was umpire Wally Bell's final MLB game; he died five days later of a heart attack.
- The Pirates have not scored a postseason run since Game 5 of this series (as of 2024).
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