The1998 National League Division Series (NLDS), the opening round of theNational League side in Major League Baseball’s1998 postseason, began on Tuesday, September 29, and ended on Sunday, October 4, with the champions of the three NL divisions—along with a "wild card" team—participating in two best-of-five series. The teams were:
The Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres went on to meet in theNL Championship Series (NLCS). The Padres defeated the Braves four games to two to become the National League champion, and lost to theAmerican League championNew York Yankees in the1998 World Series.
Atlanta won the series, 3–0.
| Game | Date | Score | Location | Time | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 30 | Chicago Cubs – 1,Atlanta Braves – 7 | Turner Field | 2:34 | 45,598[2] |
| 2 | October 1 | Chicago Cubs – 1,Atlanta Braves – 2(10) | Turner Field | 2:47 | 51,713[3] |
| 3 | October 3 | Atlanta Braves – 6, Chicago Cubs – 2 | Wrigley Field | 2:57 | 39,597[4] |
San Diego won the series, 3–1.
| Game | Date | Score | Location | Time | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 29 | San Diego Padres – 2, Houston Astros – 1 | Astrodome | 2:38 | 50,080[5] |
| 2 | October 1 | San Diego Padres – 4,Houston Astros – 5 | Astrodome | 2:53 | 45,550[6] |
| 3 | October 3 | Houston Astros – 1,San Diego Padres – 2 | Qualcomm Stadium | 2:32 | 65,235[7] |
| 4 | October 4 | Houston Astros – 1,San Diego Padres – 6 | Qualcomm Stadium | 2:39 | 64,898[8] |
Turner Field inAtlanta, Georgia
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Atlanta | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | X | 7 | 8 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| WP:John Smoltz (1–0) LP:Mark Clark (0–1) Home runs: CHC:Tyler Houston (1) ATL:Michael Tucker (1),Ryan Klesko (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Braves faced the Chicago Cubs, who made it into the playoffs by beating theSan Francisco Giants in atiebreaker for theWild Card spot and though the Cubs won the season series 6-3 including a three-game sweep inWrigley Field without NL MVPSammy Sosa, and a two-game sweep in Turner Field, the Braves proved that the post season would be different.John Smoltz pitched masterfully andMichael Tucker started the scoring with a two-run home run off Chicago starterMark Clark. Then anAndruw Jones sacrifice fly with two on made it 3–0. In the bottom of the seventh,Ryan Klesko put the game away with a grand slam into right field off ofMatt Karchner after three walks off of Clark (one) andFelix Heredia (two walks). Clark allowed four runs, but two were unearned. The Cubs would score in the eighth off Smoltz onTyler Houston's lead off home run. This ended Smoltz's night, butJohn Rocker andKerry Ligtenberg slammed the door on Game 1.
Turner Field inAtlanta, Georgia
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | R | H | E | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Atlanta | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| WP:Odalis Pérez (1–0) LP:Terry Mulholland (0–1) Home runs: CHC: None ATL:Javy López (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Game 2 was a pitchers' duel.Kevin Tapani facedTom Glavine; the pair had previously faced each other in the1991 World Series.Lance Johnson drove in the lone Chicago run in the top of the sixth on a groundout. However, leaving Tapani in to pitch the ninth ultimately cost the Cubs the game.Javy López hit the game-tying home run andChipper Jones drove in the winning run in the tenth offTerry Mulholland with an RBI single.Odalis Pérez became the first pitcher in major league history to record his first career win in a postseason game.
Wrigley Field inChicago, Illinois
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Chicago | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| WP:Greg Maddux (1–0) LP:Kerry Wood (0–1) Home runs: ATL:Eddie Pérez (1) CHC: None | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Game 3 was another pitchers' duel.Greg Maddux facedRookie of the YearKerry Wood, hoping to keep the ship afloat for the Cubs. The Braves scored first in the top of the third when Maddux doubled and later scored on a passed ball with two outs. Wood pitched five innings and that was the only run he would allow. Maddux was masterful, carrying a shutout into the bottom of the eighth. In the top of the eighth,Gerald Williams drove in another run with an RBI single offRod Beck afterTerry Mulholland allowed a single and walk. WhenAndruw Jones was intentionally walked to load the bases,Eddie Pérez belted agrand slam into left field to put the game and the series away. Maddux was lifted after giving up three straight singles in favor in Ligtenberg.Mickey Morandini's sacrifice fly andMark Graces RBI single made it 6–2 Braves, but Ligtenberg retired the Cubs in order in the ninth.José Hernández flied to center for the final out of the series as the Braves won their first game at Wrigley Field of the season.
1998 NLDS(3–0):Atlanta Braves overChicago Cubs
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | R | H | E | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Braves | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 23 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Chicago Cubs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 17 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total attendance: 136,908 Average attendance: 45,636 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Houston | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| WP:Kevin Brown (1–0) LP:Randy Johnson (0–1) Sv:Trevor Hoffman (1) Home runs: SD:Greg Vaughn (1) HOU: None | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Astros entered the playoffs with the league's best offense and red-hot pitcherRandy Johnson, who had gone 10–1 since being traded to the Astros in a mid-season deadline deal, well rested for Game 1. However, Padres aceKevin Brown was more than up for the challenge as he set an LDS record striking out 16 Astros in eight innings before turning the game over to all-star closerTrevor Hoffman for the save. The Padres only managed two runs, including a home run by sluggerGreg Vaughn. Despite Brown's dominant performance, the game was not without its tense moments thanks to a less than perfect ninth inning. Hoffman, who had tied the NL record for saves with 53, did allow an unearned run on two hits thanks to a throwing error by third basemanKen Caminiti. The error by the former Astro brought Houston to within one run before Hoffman slammed the door ending the game at 2–1. This was the first road postseason victory for the Padres.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Houston | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 11 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| WP:Billy Wagner (1–0) LP:Dan Miceli (0–1) Home runs: SD:Jim Leyritz (1) HOU:Derek Bell (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shane Reynolds pitched a strong seven innings for Houston yielding only two runs and the Astros' offense showed some of its regular season league-leading form by tagging Padres' starterAndy Ashby for three runs and chasing him out of the game after only four innings. Leading 3–2 and looking to give closerBilly Wagner a little more room to work with, the Astros scored again off former Astro Donnie Wall in the bottom of the eighth inning sending Wagner to the hill with 4–2 lead. Armed with a 100 mph fastball, Wagner was 30 for 35 in save opportunities and now had a complement to his fastball in the form of a newly learned slider courtesy of teammate Randy Johnson. Nonetheless, Wagner surrendered a single to 1996MVP Ken Caminiti, and then a pinch-hit game-tying home run toJim Leyritz, who had done the same thing as a member of theNew York Yankees to Mark Wohlers of theBraves in the1996 World Series. Unfazed, the Astros led off the bottom of the inning with an infield single by Ricky Gutierrez off Dan Miceli. The Padres countered by bringing in closer Trevor Hoffman. After a sacrifice by catcherBrad Ausmus moved him to second base, Gutierrez stole third uncontested setting up pinch-hitter Bill Spiers to be the game's hero. Spiers delivered with a single off Hoffman and the Astros had their first postseason victory since1986.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| San Diego | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | X | 2 | 3 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| WP:Dan Miceli (1–1) LP:Scott Elarton (0–1) Sv:Trevor Hoffman (2) Home runs: HOU: None SD:Jim Leyritz (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
With their Game 1 victory, the Padres had taken home-field advantage away from the favored Astros and San Diego managerBruce Bochy was determined not to let the momentum turn in Houston's favor after Game 2, so he decided to gamble and started Game 1 starter Kevin Brown on short rest instead of leftySterling Hitchcock. The explosive Astros offense, being predominantly right-handed, was especially brutal on left-handed pitchers and a Game 3 win by Houston would have left the Padres facing elimination in Game 4 against Randy Johnson. Brown was opposed by fellow sinkerballerMike Hampton of the Astros who proved to be Brown's equal. Not nearly the same unhittable master of Game 1, Brown's control was shaky from the beginning as he walked five Astros in seven innings. Still, the Astros were never able to deliver the knock-out blow and managed only one run against Brown, but were still tied going into the bottom of the seventh thanks to a solid six innings of one-run two-hit ball by Mike Hampton. In the bottom of the seventh,Jim Leyritz added yet another chapter to his resume of clutch October heroics with a go-ahead home run off Astros reliever Scott Elarton that gave the Padres a 2–1 lead. Neither team scored again and Trevor Hoffman struck out the side in the top of the ninth for the save.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| San Diego | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | X | 6 | 7 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| WP:Sterling Hitchcock (1–0) LP:Randy Johnson (0–2) Home runs: HOU: None SD:Jim Leyritz (3),Wally Joyner (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The only game of the series that wasn't decided by one run began with veteran formerCy Young Award winner Randy Johnson squaring off against 27-year-old Sterling Hitchcock who was making his first postseason start. It was Hitchcock, however, that proved dominant by striking out 11 Astros in only six innings of work while Leyritz hit his third home run in as many games to help the Padres to a 2–1 lead. With the Astros' highly touted offense rendered almost completely silent, the bullpen finally collapsed in the eighth inning as Houston pitchers surrendered four runs to the Padres leading to a 6–1 series-clinching victory for San Diego.
1998 NLDS(3–1):San Diego Padres overHouston Astros
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego Padres | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 14 | 27 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Houston Astros | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 22 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total attendance: 225,763 Average attendance: 56,441 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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