The2018 National League Division Series were two best-of-five-game series to determine the participating teams of the2018 National League Championship Series. The three divisional winners (seeded 1–3) and a fourth team—theWild Card Game winner—played in two series.These matchups were:
The Dodgers defeated the Brewers in the NLCS, then lost the2018 World Series to the American League championBoston Red Sox.
Under sponsorship agreements withDoosan, the series was formally known as theNational League Division Series presented by Doosan.[2] The Brewers and the Dodgers won their respective series to advance to the Championship Series.
The 2018 National League division races were unexpectedly surprising, considering theNationals,Cubs, and Dodgers all came into the season as heavy betting favorites, and on the last day of the season, none of these teams had an outright lead in their division.[3] The Brewers entered the NLDS as the top seed, having completed the regular season with a record of 96–67 and winning theNL Central via atie-breaker game. The second-seeded Dodgers went 92–71 in theNL West, also winning their division via atie-breaker game. TheNL East champion Braves were seeded third via their 90–72 record. The final participant was the winner of theNL Wild Card Game, the Rockies. This was the first year in baseball history two divisions in the same league came down to aGame 163.
This was the 14th NLDS appearance for Atlanta, 13th for Los Angeles, fourth for Colorado and third for Milwaukee (who also played in the1981 ALDS, before joining the National League in1998).
The Brewers and Rockies met seven times during the regular season, with Milwaukee winning five of the games.[4] The Dodgers and Braves also met seven times during the regular season, with Los Angeles holding a 5–2 edge.[4]
Milwaukee won the series, 3–0.
| Game | Date | Score | Location | Time | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | October 4 | Colorado Rockies – 2,Milwaukee Brewers – 3(10) | Miller Park | 4:04 | 43,382[5] |
| 2 | October 5 | Colorado Rockies – 0,Milwaukee Brewers – 4 | Miller Park | 3:45 | 44,547[6] |
| 3 | October 7 | Milwaukee Brewers – 6, Colorado Rockies – 0 | Coors Field | 3:14 | 49,658[7] |
Los Angeles won the series, 3–1.
| Game | Date | Score | Location | Time | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | October 4 | Atlanta Braves – 0,Los Angeles Dodgers – 6 | Dodger Stadium | 3:13 | 50,947[8] |
| 2 | October 5 | Atlanta Braves – 0,Los Angeles Dodgers – 3 | Dodger Stadium | 2:35 | 54,452[9] |
| 3 | October 7 | Los Angeles Dodgers – 5,Atlanta Braves – 6 | SunTrust Park | 3:36 | 42,385[10] |
| 4 | October 8 | Los Angeles Dodgers – 6 Atlanta Braves – 2 | SunTrust Park | 3:42 | 39,586[11] |
This was the first postseason meeting between the Brewers and Rockies. It is also the first and only postseason meeting to pit one team who won atie-breaker game (Brewers) and one team who lost atie-breaker game (Rockies).
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | R | H | E | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Milwaukee | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| WP:Joakim Soria (1–0) LP:Adam Ottavino (0–1) Home runs: COL: None MIL:Christian Yelich (1) Attendance: 43,382 Boxscore | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Brewers took the lead in the bottom of the third inning, on a two-run home run byChristian Yelich off of Rockies starting pitcherAntonio Senzatela. The Rockies tied it in the top of the ninth, getting two runs off of Brewers closerJeremy Jeffress via three singles, an error, and asacrifice fly. The two runs the Rockies scored in the top of the 9th inning would turn out to be the only runs and the only inning they would score in during the entire series. Milwaukee won the game in the bottom of the tenth, whenMike Moustakas hit a two-out walk-off single off ofAdam Ottavino with runners on first and third. Brewers relieverJoakim Soria, who had retired the Rockies in order in the top of the tenth, got the win.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Milwaukee | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | X | 4 | 9 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| WP:Jhoulys Chacín (1–0) LP:Tyler Anderson (0–1) Sv:Jeremy Jeffress (1) Attendance: 44,547 Boxscore | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
After three scoreless innings, Milwaukee took the lead in the bottom of the fourth, on back-to-back doubles byMike Moustakas andHernán Pérez. The lead was extended to 4–0 in the eighth, with three runs coming off a total of two walks and three singles. Brewers starterJhoulys Chacín got the win after allowing three hits in five innings while striking out three and walking three;closerJeremy Jeffress earned thesave, pitching the eighth and ninth while allowing two hits and striking out three. Rockies starterTyler Anderson allowed one run on four hits in six innings of work, and took the loss.
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| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 12 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Colorado | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| WP:Corbin Burnes (1–0) LP:Germán Márquez (0–1) Home runs: MIL:Jesús Aguilar (1),Orlando Arcia (1),Keon Broxton (1) COL: None Attendance: 49,658 Boxscore | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Brewers opened the game with a run in the top of the first inning, coming on a walk, single, andfielder's choice, withChristian Yelich scoring for the 1–0 lead. AJesús Aguilar home run in the top of the fourth inning gave Milwaukee a 2–0 lead. The Brewers doubled their lead to 4–0 in the top of the sixth inning; with runners on second and third with two outs, Rockies relieverScott Oberg gave up one run viabalk and another via awild pitch. Home runs byOrlando Arcia andKeon Broxton in the top of the ninth inning increased the lead to 6–0. In the bottom of the ninth, the Rockies got two men on base with one out, before Milwaukee relieverJosh Hader came in and recorded the final two outs, completing the sweep. Brewers pitcherCorbin Burnes got the win after pitching two innings of no-hit relief, while Rockies starterGermán Márquez allowed seven hits and two runs in five innings and took the loss. The Brewers' 122⁄3 innings from starters were the fewest ever for a team that won a Division Series.[12] The Brewers went on to play the Dodgers in the NLCS.
2018 NLDS (3–0):Milwaukee Brewers defeatedColorado Rockies.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | R | H | E | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Rockies | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Milwaukee Brewers | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 13 | 28 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total attendance: 137,587 Average attendance: 45,862 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This was the third postseason meeting between the Dodgers and Braves. The previous two match-ups were the1996 National League Division Series and2013 National League Division Series. They also met in the1959 National League tie-breaker series. The Braves formerly were an NL West member for 24 years (1969-1993); the Braves and Dodgers finished in the top two positions in the division in1982,1983, and1991, all of which came down to the final week of the season.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Los Angeles | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | X | 6 | 5 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| WP:Hyun-jin Ryu (1–0) LP:Mike Foltynewicz (0–1) Home runs: ATL: None LAD:Joc Pederson (1),Max Muncy (1),Kiké Hernández (1) Attendance: 50,947 Boxscore | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hyun-jin Ryu started the game for the Dodgers andMike Foltynewicz for the Braves.Joc Pederson hit Foltynewicz's third pitch of the game for a home run, his 10th leadoff homer of the season, to start the scoring. In the second inning,Max Muncy hit a three-run home run to put the Dodgers up, 4–0. Muncy became just the eighth player to hit a home run andwalk three times in a playoff game.[13] Foltynewicz only lasted two innings, allowing four runs on four hits, three walks and one hit batter. He also struck out five. Ryu pitched seven innings, struck eight batters, and did not allow a run or walk. It was his second career postseason start of seven scoreless innings. The only other Dodgers to do it multiple times wereSandy Koufax,Jerry Reuss andOrel Hershiser.[14]Kiké Hernández added a homer in the sixth inning and the Dodgers scored one more run in the eighth on a sacrifice fly to win game one of the series, 6–0.[15]
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| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Los Angeles | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | 3 | 5 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| WP:Clayton Kershaw (1–0) LP:Aníbal Sánchez (0–1) Sv:Kenley Jansen (1) Home runs: ATL: None LAD:Manny Machado (1),Yasmani Grandal (1) Attendance: 54,452 Boxscore | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Clayton Kershaw started the game for the Dodgers, allowing only two hits in eight innings. The Dodgers established an early lead via a two-run homer byManny Machado in the bottom of the first inning and added another run on a homer byYasmani Grandal in the fifth, both off of Braves starterAníbal Sánchez, who lasted 42⁄3 innings.Kenley Jansen closed out the Braves in the ninth for thesave. Los Angeles became just the second team in postseason history to open a postseason run with two shutouts, joining the1921 Yankees. Consequently, Atlanta became just the second team in postseason history to open a postseason run by being shut out in two straight games, joining the1921 Giants.[16][17]
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Atlanta | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | X | 6 | 4 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| WP:Touki Toussaint (1–0) LP:Alex Wood (0–1) Sv:Arodys Vizcaíno (1) Home runs: LAD:Chris Taylor (1),Max Muncy (2) ATL:Ronald Acuña Jr. (1),Freddie Freeman (1) Attendance: 42,385 Boxscore | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Walker Buehler started for the Dodgers, whileSean Newcomb started for the Braves. Atlanta took a 5–0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. The first run came when Newcomb forced a run with a bases-loaded walk, the first time in postseason history a pitcher has done this.[18] Four more runs were scored on agrand slam byRonald Acuña Jr. Acuña (20 years, 293 days old) became the youngest player to hit a grand slam in post-season history, surpassingMickey Mantle (who was 21 years, 349 days old in the1953 World Series).[19] Los Angeles got back two runs in the top of the third, on an RBI single byJustin Turner with the second run scoring on error by Acuña. Newcomb was replaced after allowing two runs (one earned) in2+2⁄3 innings.Chris Taylor hit a two-run home run in the fifth off ofKevin Gausman to cut the lead to one run and thenMax Muncy tied the game with a homer offMax Fried. After the second inning, Buehler settled down and pitched five innings with only two hits and seven strikeouts. He also walked two and allowed the five runs. The Braves recaptured the lead whenFreddie Freeman homered offAlex Wood in the sixth inning. The Dodgers got a couple of baserunners on in the ninth butArodys Vizcaíno managed to close out the win for the Braves, 6–5, extending their season.[20] The game's attendance of 42,385 was the largest yet at the two-season oldSunTrust Park.[21]
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| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Atlanta | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| WP:Ryan Madson (1–0) LP:Jonny Venters (0–1) Home runs: LAD:Manny Machado (2) ATL: None Attendance: 39,586 Boxscore | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mike Foltynewicz made his second start of the series for the Braves, after his abbreviated start in Game 1, whileRich Hill made his first start of the post-season for the Dodgers. An RBI double byManny Machado in the first inning gave the Dodgers an early lead. A two RBI pinch hit single byKurt Suzuki in the fourth inning put the Braves ahead by a run. Foltynewicz was removed after four innings, where he struck out five and only allowed two hits, four walks and one run. Hill pitched 41⁄3 innings, with three strikeouts, and allowed four hits while walking five. A pinch-hit two RBI single byDavid Freese offBrad Brach put the Dodgers back ahead in the sixth inning. A three-run home run by Machado in the seventh inning off ofChad Sobotka extended the lead to 6–2. The Dodgers bullpen held on and they won the game and the series, advancing to their third straightNational League Championship Series.[22]
2018 NLDS (3–1):Los Angeles Dodgers defeatedAtlanta Braves.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Braves | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 19 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Los Angeles Dodgers | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 20 | 24 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total attendance: 187,370 Average attendance: 46,843 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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