The 14 most common postseason matchups
Sometimes, the postseason brings us matchups that simply do not occur fairly often — just like the 2015 National League Division Series between the Cubs and Cardinals, which was the longtime rivals’ first — and so far, solely — postseason matchup. But usually instances, there are matchups that come round in a number of postseasons, with every new yr constructing upon previous grudge matches.
With the 49ers and Cowboys assembly for a ninth time within the postseason Sunday, tying an NFL file, it is a good time to look again on the checklist for baseball’s playoff historical past.
Here’s a have a look at the commonest playoff sequence confrontations. (Note: Wild Card Games are counted as sequence for the needs of this checklist).
1) Yankees-Dodgers (11 sequence)
Results: Yankees 8, Dodgers 3
Most current matchup: 1981 World Series
Notable matchup: 1955 World Series (Dodgers, 4-3)
The Dodgers lastly broke by way of in opposition to the Yankees in 1955, beating them within the World Series for the primary time after 5 earlier defeats by the hands of New York, and 7 general, to seize the franchise’s first championship. A number of years later, the golf equipment went from crosstown counterparts to cross-country foes, however the distance didn’t put a cease to the rivalry, which continued by way of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. The groups’ most up-to-date postseason matchup was in 1981, the second-to-last time the Dodgers received all of it (in addition they received extra just lately in ’88).
2) Yankees-Giants (7 sequence)
Results: Yankees 5, Giants 2
Most current matchup: 1962 World Series
Notable matchup: 1923 World Series (Yankees, 4-2)
It stands to cause that the second-most frequent matchup was between the Yankees and their different former crosstown rivals. One of probably the most spectacular details in regards to the Yankees’ file 27 World Series titles is that the franchise didn’t even win its first one till 1923 — in a matchup in opposition to the GIants. The Yankees had dropped the primary two head-to-head postseason sequence with the Giants, in ’21 and ’22, however returned to the Fall Classic in ’23 and took down the native foe to win the workforce’s first title. They haven’t misplaced a sequence to the Giants within the postseason since, although they final confronted off in ’62.
3-T) Yankees-Twins (6 sequence)
Results: Yankees 6, Twins 0
Most current matchup: 2019 ALDS
Notable matchup: 2003 ALDS (Yankees, 3-1)
All six postseason matchups between these two groups have come since 2003, and there have been way more similarities between the iterations of the groups concerned within the first 4 matchups than to 2017, when the groups met within the AL Wild Card recreation, or ’19. The ’03-04 and ’09-10 postseason matchups had been tales of the dynastic Yankees, on the heels of World Series titles or headed to the World Series later that fall, relying on the yr. In ’03, a 90-win Twins workforce confronted the Yankees within the ALDS after an ALCS look in ’02 and received Game 1 earlier than dropping the following three — and that primarily set the tone for this head-to-head postseason matchup. The Yankees at present personal a 13-game postseason win streak in opposition to the Twins after sweeping them within the 2019 ALDS, the longest for any workforce in opposition to a single opponent in October historical past.
3-T) Reds-Pirates (6 sequence)
Results: Reds 4, Pirates 2
Most current matchup: 2013 NL Wild Card Game
Notable matchup: 1972 NLCS (Reds 3, Pirates 2)
The two groups confronted off 5 instances between 1970-1990, earlier than assembly once more within the 2013 NL Wild Card Game. While probably the most enduring current reminiscence would be the “Cueto” chants in Pittsburgh inflicting the Reds’ ace to drop the ball on the mound and ultimately flip in a less-than-stellar outing, our most notable matchup right here brings a historical past lesson as an alternative. In 1972, when the LCS spherical was nonetheless best-of-five, the Pirates led the Reds, 3-2, headed to the underside of the ninth in a decisive Game 5 in Cincinnati. But Johnny Bench led off the half-inning with a game-tying solo homer off the Pirates’ Dave Giusti, and Tony Perez singled a batter later. After one other single by Denis Menke, the Pirates introduced in Bob Moose, who induced two outs to carry the workforce to an out away from a World Series look with runners on first and third. But with Hal McRae batting, Moose threw a wild pitch and George Foster, who’d pinch-run for Perez and brought third on a fly ball, scampered dwelling to provide the Reds a walk-off win in Roberto Clemente’s remaining recreation.
3-T) Guardians-Yankees (6 sequence)
Results: Yankees 4, Cleveland 2
Most current matchup: 2022 ALDS
Notable matchup: 1998 ALCS (Yankees, 4-2)
Postseason matchups between these two groups are a product of the Wild Card Era and the arrival of central divisions, as the 2 groups had been collectively within the AL East earlier than ’94. Cleveland received the primary matchup within the 1997 ALDS, successful a decisive Game 5. The workforce hasn’t received a winner-take-all recreation since, in opposition to any opponent. And in fact, we won’t speak Cleveland-Yankees postseason sequence with out mentioning the midges, which descended upon Joba Chamberlain within the 2007 ALDS, which Cleveland received.
3-T) Braves-Astros (6 sequence)
Results: Braves 4, Astros 2
Most current matchup: 2021 World Series
Notable matchup: 2001 NLDS (Braves, 3-0)
The Braves received the sequence the primary thrice these two groups met within the postseason, earlier than dropping the subsequent two matchups. The groups met 5 instances between 1997-2005 within the midst of the Braves’ file streak of division titles. Then, in 2021, the groups met within the World Series, with the Astros now within the AL. Atlanta received that matchup in six video games.
3-T) Cardinals-Dodgers (6 sequence)
Results: Cardinals 4, Dodgers 2
Most current matchup: 2021 NL Wild Card Game
Notable matchup: 2013 NLCS (Cardinals, 4-2)
The ’13 matchup acquired off to a marathon begin, with the primary recreation going 13 innings because the Cardinals lastly received, 3-2. The Cardinals acquired out to a 2-0 sequence lead with a Game 2 win in a 1-0 recreation the place L.A. ace Clayton Kershaw allowed simply an unearned run. Game 6 featured Kershaw once more, and this time, the Kershaw postseason struggles narrative gained fodder as he allowed seven runs on 10 hits in 4 innings together with his workforce needing a win to stave off elimination and drive a Game 7.
8-T) Cardinals-Yankees (5 sequence)
Results: Cardinals 3, Yankees 2
Most current matchup: 1964 World Series
Notable matchup: 1964 World Series (Cardinals, 4-3)
Of the 5 World Series between these two groups, two have gone the gap — the primary matchup, in 1926, and the latest, in ’64. The first Game 7 noticed the Cardinals seize a 3-1 lead on an error and a single in a recreation they’d ultimately win, 3-2. The more moderen Game 7, in ’64, featured an entire -game efficiency by Bob Gibson — although he did enable 5 runs, together with three dwelling runs. But the Cards scored extra, tacking on seven runs off a combo of Yankees pitchers. St. Louis acquired out to a 6-0 lead in a recreation they’d ultimately win, 7-5, on sequences within the fourth and fifth innings that included Tim McCarver stealing dwelling and a Lou Brock dwelling run.
8-T) Cleveland-Red Sox (5 sequence)
Results: Cleveland 3, Red Sox 2
Most current matchup: 2016 ALCS
Notable matchup: 2007 ALCS (Red Sox, 4-3)
The postseason sequence between these two groups have come all the way down to a decisive recreation twice, within the 1999 ALDS and the 2007 ALCS, with the Red Sox successful every of these sequence. Cleveland took a 3-1 sequence lead within the 2007 ALCS, however then misplaced the subsequent three video games, because the Red Sox outscored them, 30-5, over that span. Cleveland ace CC Sabathia, who could be awarded the primary and solely Cy Young Award of his profession that November, allowed 4 runs in six innings in Game 5 when Cleveland had an opportunity to clinch the sequence at dwelling, and the workforce misplaced, 7-1, and noticed their offense go quietly within the subsequent two video games, too. The Red Sox would attain the World Series and win it for his or her second title in 4 years.
8-T) Red Sox-Angels (5 sequence)
Results: Red Sox 4, Angels 1
Most current matchup: 2009 ALDS
Notable matchup: 2009 ALDS (Angels, 3-0)
After 4 earlier matchups, all losses by the Angels, Los Angeles lastly broke by way of in opposition to Boston in 2009. The Red Sox had taken down the Angels en path to World Series appearances in 1986, 2004 and ’07, with the latter two leading to Boston championships. In the ’09 sweep, Angels pitchers held the Red Sox to only a .158 workforce batting common and one homer within the sequence.
8-T) Phillies-Dodgers (5 sequence)
Results: Phillies 3, Dodgers 2
Most current matchup: 2009 NLCS
Notable matchup: 2009 NLCS (Phillies, 4-1)
The matchups between these two groups have are available bunches, as they met in 1977, ’78 and 1983, after which once more in 2008 and ’09. The Dodgers received the primary two postseason sequence between these groups, however haven’t taken the Phillies down in a playoff sequence since. The sequence have featured loads of feelings — together with some bench-clearing in Game 3 of the ’08 NLCS — and thrilling moments. In Game 4 of the ’09 sequence, which the Phillies entered with a 2-1 sequence lead, Jonathan Broxton was tasked with defending a one-run lead because the Dodgers led, 4-3, within the backside of the ninth. After a Raul Ibanez groundout, Broxton walked Matt Stairs, then hit Carlos Ruiz with a pitch, sending pinch-runner Eric Bruntlett to second. After a Greg Dobbs lineout, Jimmy Rollins stepped to the plate for the Phils and knocked a 1-1 pitch for a walk-off double. With any potential momentum within the Dodgers’ favor having in a short time shifted, the Phillies received, 10-4, in Game 5 to seal the sequence win and a second straight journey to the World Series.
8-T) Dodgers-Braves (5 sequence)
Results: Dodgers 3, Braves 2
Most current matchup: 2021 NLCS
Notable matchup: 2021 NLCS (Braves, 4-2)
These two groups met for the primary time within the postseason in 1996, and have now met 4 extra instances since 2013. In ’21, the Braves took down the 106-win Dodgers within the NLCS. Atlanta had received 18 fewer regular-season video games than Los Angeles, making it the fourth-largest regular-season wins upset in a postseason sequence.
8-T) Cardinals-Braves (5 sequence)
Results: Cardinals 4, Braves 1
Most current matchup: 2019 NLDS
Notable matchup: 1996 NLCS (Braves, 4-3)
The two largest series-clinching wins in postseason historical past have each are available matchups between these two golf equipment. The Braves received NLCS Game 7, 15-0, marking the most important. And in 2019, the Cardinals received NLDS Game 5, 13-1, with that 12-run margin being the second-largest in a playoff sequence clincher by any workforce.
8-T) Red Sox-Yankees (5 sequence)
Results: Red Sox 3, Yankees 2
Most current matchup: 2021 AL Wild Card Game
Notable matchup: 2004 ALCS (Red Sox, 4-3)
This matchup has given us iconic moments, like Aaron Boone’s Game 7 walk-off dwelling run within the 2003 ALCS. But probably the most memorable and historic reality related to this rivalry’s postseason exploits is the ’04 ALCS. That’s when the Red Sox engineered the one 3-0 comeback in a best-of-seven sequence in MLB postseason historical past.
