Dodgers in the NL Championship Series

The Dodgers have participated in the National League Championship Series nine times. Here’s how they fared:

1974

Dodgers 3, Pittsburgh 1

NL MVP Steve Garvey had two home runs in the series, Don Sutton pitched a four-hit shutout in Game 1 and the Dodgers outscored the Pirates in the series, 20-10.

1977

Dodgers 3, Philadelphia 1

After losing Game 1, Dodgers won the next three, including a dramatic Game 3 victory when they scored three runs with two outs for a 6-4 victory. Series MVP: Dusty Baker (.357, two homers, eight runs batted in).

1978

Dodgers 3, Philadelphia 1

The Dodgers won decisive Game 4 when Bill Russell singled home Ron Cey in bottom of the 10th inning. Cey was in scoring position because center fielder Garry Maddox dropped an easy fly ball for what would have been the third out. Series MVP: Steve Garvey (.389, four homers, seven RBIs).

1981

Dodgers 3, Montreal 2

Rick Monday’s solo home run off of Steve Rogers in the top of the ninth inning of Game 5 sent the Dodgers to the World Series. Series MVP: Burt Hooton (2-0, no earned runs in 14.2 innings).

1983

Philadelphia 3, Dodgers 1

Steve Carlton picked up two victories as Phillies’ pitching limited the Dodgers to eight runs in the four games, outscoring them 19-8. Series MVP: Gary Matthews (.429, three homers, eight RBIs).

1985

St. Louis 4, Dodgers 2

There are only three names that need to be mentioned to bring back horrible memories to Dodgers fans: Tom Niedenfuer, Ozzie Smith and Jack Clark. Series MVP: Ozzie Smith (.435, one homer, three RBIs).

1988

Dodgers 4, New York 3

What do you pick to highlight in this series, one of the best NLCS’s of all time? Mike Scioscia’s tying homer in Game 4? Jay Howell suspended for having pine tar on his glove? Kirk Gibson’s mammoth home runs and great diving catch? Orel Hershiser’s stellar pitching? Series MVP: Hershiser (Three starts, one relief appearance, 1-0, one save, 1.09 ERA).

2008

Philadelphia 4, Dodgers 1

The year of Mannywood was no match against the Phillies. Matt Stairs’ two-run shot off of Jonathan Broxton to give the Phillies a Game 4 victory was the crushing blow. Series MVP: Cole Hamels (2-0, 1.93 ERA).

2009

Philadelphia 4, Dodgers 1

A near carbon copy of the 2008 NLCS. Again the crushing blow came in Game 4, when Jimmy Rollins doubled home the winning runs in the bottom of the ninth against Broxton. Series MVP: Ryan Howard (.333, two homers, eight RBIs).