The St. Louis Cardinals are off to the the National League Championship Series after crushing the Atlanta Braves in Game 5 of the NLDS to capture the Division Series in record-setting fashion.
The 3-2 series win for the Cardinals was almost a 3-1 series win for the Braves, before Yadier Molina rescued St. Louis with the club down to its final four outs in Game 4. That wasn't the only thrilling moment of the series, as each of the first four games was decided with the Cardinals or Braves having an opportunity to take a lead in the ninth inning.
Game 5, the record-setting outlier, saw the NL Central champion Cardinals push across 10 runs in the top of the first inning and never look back. R.J. Anderson has more on where that performance now ranks in the annals of MLB postseason history.
St. Louis now looks ahead to the NLCS where they'll take on the the Dodgers or the Nationals, pending the outcome of that winner-take-all Game 5 in Los Angeles.
The Braves, meanwhile head into the offseason, much like last year after an early playoff exit -- a young team on the rise, with a division-winning core set to reload for next season. There are some question marks for Atlanta, including if the team will make a run at re-signing third baseman Josh Donaldson. With or without the "Bringer of Rain," Atlanta figures to be a preseason pick to make another run at an NL East crown, and a push for the pennant.
NLDS: St. Louis vs. Atlanta (STL wins series, 3-2)
| DATE | RESULT | TV | VENUE |
|---|---|---|---|
Oct. 3 | Game 1: St. Louis 7, Atlanta 6 | TBS | SunTrust Park |
Oct. 4 | Game 2: Atlanta 3, St. Louis 0 | TBS | SunTrust Park |
Oct. 6 | Game 3 Atlanta 3, St. Louis 1 | TBS | Busch Stadium |
Oct. 7 | Game 4: St. Louis 5, Atlanta 4 (F/10) | TBS | Busch Stadium |
Oct. 9 | Game 5: St. Louis 13, Atlanta 1 | TBS | SunTrust Park |
