2006 National League Division Series

Information about 2006 National League Division Series

The 2006 National League Division Series (NLDS), the opening round of the 2006 National League playoffs, began on Tuesday, October 3, and ended on Sunday, October 8, with the champions of the three NL divisions – along with a "wild card" team – participating in two best-of-five series. They were: The higher seed (in parentheses) had the home field advantage, which was determined by playing record. The Padres were awarded the Western Division title over the Dodgers due to their winning the season series against Los Angeles 13-5.

The Mets and the Cardinals met in the NL Championship Series, with the Cardinals becoming the National League champion and going on to face the American League champion Detroit Tigers in the 2006 World Series.

Managers: Umpires: Television:
SeriesNetwork(s)Play-by-playColor Commentator(s)
Los Angeles Dodgers/New York MetsESPN:HD (Game 1)
FOX:HD (Games 2, 3)
Gary Thorne (Game 1)
Thom Brennaman (Games 2, 3)
Joe Morgan and Steve Phillips (Game 1)
Steve Lyons (Game 2)
Tim McCarver (Game 3)
St. Louis Cardinals/San Diego PadresESPN:HD (Games 1, 2)
ESPN2:HD (Game 3)
FOX:HD (Game 4)
Chris Berman (Games 1, 2)
Jon Miller (Game 3)
Thom Brennaman (Game 4)
Orel Hershiser (Games 1, 2)
Joe Morgan (Game 3)
Tim McCarver (Game 4)

Playoff race

The NL playoff race was highly dramatic when as many as six teams entered the final weekend of the regular season fighting for the final three playoff spots. Two of three division champions were decided on the final day of the regular season.

The New York Mets began the season with high hopes of finally ending the Atlanta Braves' string of division titles. The Mets lived up to their high expectations and roared out of the gate, taking over first place in the division on the fourth day of the season and never looking back. They won seven of their first eight games, and had built up a double-digit lead in the standings by the end of June. The Mets clinched the division on September 18, and finished 12 games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies. The Braves finished third, 18 games back. However, the Mets entered the postseason without injured ace Pedro Martínez, and learned the day before Game 1 of the Division Series that projected Game 1 starter Orlando Hernandez would be lost for the whole round.

The St. Louis Cardinals' run to their third consecutive Central Division championship pales in comparison to their runs in the previous two seasons. Like the previous two seasons, the Cardinals took over the lead in the division early on, overtaking the Cincinnati Reds on June 9. It appeared as if this season would be like the previous two as the Cardinals steadily built up their lead up to as much as five and a half games and a 42-26 record on June 19. The Cardinals began interleague play by being swept by both the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers as part of an eight-game losing streak. Despite the streak, they did not relinquish the division lead. The Reds were able to tie the Cardinals in the standings on June 30 and July 1, but the Cardinals regained sole possession of first place the following day and held onto the lead for the rest of the season despite additional losing streaks of eight and seven games. The main contributor to the Cardinals' struggles was the numerous injuries to key players throughout the season to include Albert Pujols, Jim Edmonds, David Eckstein, Chris Carpenter, Mark Mulder, and Jason Isringhausen. The title appeared to be well in hand on September 19 with leads of seven games over the Reds and eight and half games over the Houston Astros with just 13 games left to play. The Cardinals then went on a seven-game losing streak just as the Astros won seven consecutive, shrinking their lead to just a game and a half. The Cardinals were able to regain their composure by winning three of their next four and clinching on the final day of the season with an Astros loss to the Atlanta Braves.

The San Diego Padres playoff run was led by their strong pitching and saw closer Trevor Hoffman overtake Lee Smith as the all-time saves leader. This season also marked the first time in Padre history that the team went to the playoffs in consecutive years. The Padres did not clinch a playoff spot until the final weekend of the regular season and finished with an identical record as the Los Angeles Dodgers, but were awarded the Western Division title due to the Padres winning the season series with Dodgers 13-5.

The Los Angeles Dodgers' run to the playoffs was most notable for their streaky play in the second half of the season. The Dodgers started the second half by losing 13 out of 14 games and trailing the Padres by seven and a half games, in last place in the division, and behind eight teams in the wild card race. They immediately followed that streak by winning 17 of their next 18 to put them on top of the division by three and half games and to have a better record than all eight teams they had trailed in the wild card race prior to the streak. Their inconsistent play continued as they were swept by the Padres in late August as part of a four-game losing streak, only to follow that up by winning seven consecutive, then losing their next three. The Dodgers finished the season strong by winning their final seven games, clinching a playoff berth in the final weekend over the Philadelphia Phillies and finishing tied with the Padres, making them able to claim co-champions of the Western Division despite being the wild card team in the playoffs.

Matchups

New York Mets vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

  • New York Mets won series 3-0.
The series seemed over for the Mets before it even started, first by losing ace Pedro Martinez for the postseason and then losing probable Game 1 starter Orlando Hernandez. Despite having a potent offense, many people didn't seem to give the Mets too much of a chance without a great starting rotation. In fact, the Mets pitching helped keep the two bats at the top of the Dodger order from doing damage. Rafael Furcal and Kenny Lofton went 3 for 24 (.125) in the series combined. In the regular season, they hit .300 and stole 59 bases combined. Thanks to mixed efforts by everyone on the Mets, they advanced to the 2006 National League Championship Series. Dodgers second baseman Jeff Kent had eight hits in the three game series. Only Fernando Viña had more hits in a series that lasted three games.

GameScoreDate
1New York Mets 6, Los Angeles Dodgers 5October 4
2New York Mets 4, Los Angeles Dodgers 1October 5
3New York Mets 9, Los Angeles Dodgers 5October 7

Game 1, October 4

Shea Stadium, Flushing Meadows, Queens, New York

The game started off with Mets rookie starter John Maine on the mound after the Mets received devastating news about Orlando Hernandez possibly missing the rest of the postseason. He kept the Mets in the game with only 1 earned run in 4.1 innings pitched. In the 2nd inning, a strange play occurred at home plate. With runners on first and second and nobody out, catcher Russell Martin hit a line drive all the way to the wall in right field. Jeff Kent tried to tag up from second base in the event that right fielder Shawn Green caught the ball. Instead, the ball sailed over his head. Both Kent and J. D. Drew raced around the bases towards the plate. Green threw to cut-off man Jose Valentin, who relayed to Paul Lo Duca at the plate. Lo Duca tagged out Kent. Drew, trying to score in desperation, was also tagged out at the plate. Lo Duca almost didn't see Drew in time to slap the tag on. The Dodgers would score a run later in the inning, but Carlos Delgado and Cliff Floyd hit home runs in the fourth. Nomar Garciaparra tied the game at 4 with a 2 RBI double in the top of the seventh. Delgado and David Wright, however, gave the Mets the lead for good in the bottom of the seventh with RBI hits off of Brad Penny (who was relieving Derek Lowe), with closer Billy Wagner nailing down the save.
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Los Angeles0100003015111
New York00020220X691
WP: Guillermo Mota (1-0)  LP: Brad Penny (0-1)  SV: Billy Wagner (1)  
HRs:  NYM – Carlos Delgado (1), Cliff Floyd (1) |

Game 2, October 5

Shea Stadium, Flushing Meadows, Queens, New York

In a game where the Mets were expected to struggle, they came through with a big win. Dodgers rookie Hong-Chih Kuo was expected to beat the Mets, who have a lineup full of left-handed hitters (or at least, hit better left-handed). Instead, the lefty Kuo was up against, Tom Glavine earned the win, with the Mets offense manufacturing runs. In the bottom of the 3rd, outfielder Endy Chavez hit a bunt single to lead off the inning. That led to a Jose Reyes RBI ground out. In the sixth, Paul Lo Duca hit a sacrifice fly to give the Mets a 2-0 lead. In the 7th, after pinch-hitter Julio Franco hit into a fielder's choice, driving in a run, Reyes drove in another run with an RBI single. Wilson Betemit hit a home run for the Dodgers but lost 4-1. The Dodgers were hit with more bad news. Nomar Garciaparra was lost after a leg injury that would keep him off the field except for pinch-hitting duties.
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Los Angeles000000010151
New York00101200X470
WP: Tom Glavine (1-0)  LP: Hong-Chih Kuo (0-1)  SV: Billy Wagner (2)  
HRs:  LAD – Wilson Betemit (1)  NYM – Carlos Delgado (1), Cliff Floyd (1) |

Game 3, October 7

Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California

Coming home to Los Angeles, the Dodgers hoped that the fans would give them a boost and get a win. The Mets proved that wrong. The Mets jumped out on Dodgers veteran starter Greg Maddux for three runs in the first inning, and added another in the third. The Dodgers came back in the fourth inning with a bases loaded double by rookie first baseman James Loney off of Mets starter Steve Trachsel for two runs to make the score 4-2. Loney was starting in place of the injured Nomar Garciaparra. In the fifth, Jeff Kent hit a two-run home run off reliever Darren Oliver to tie the game at 4. The Dodgers would add another run in the inning. The Mets didn't slow up, however. In the sixth, Shawn Green started off with a leadoff double. After Jose Valentin popped out on the infield, pinch hitter Michael Tucker drew a walk. That lead to consecutive RBI singles from Jose Reyes, Paul Lo Duca, and Carlos Beltran, making the score 7-5. After that, the Mets never looked back. Former Dodgers Green and Lo Duca finished with 2 RBI each and Pedro Feliciano earned the win.
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
New York3010030209142
Los Angeles0002300005162
WP: Pedro Feliciano (1-0)  LP: Jonathan Broxton (0-1)  
HRs:  LAD – |

San Diego Padres vs. St. Louis Cardinals

  • St. Louis won series 3-1.
GameScoreDate
1St. Louis Cardinals 5, San Diego Padres 1October 3
2St. Louis Cardinals 2, San Diego Padres 0October 5
3San Diego Padres 3, St. Louis Cardinals 1October 7
4St. Louis Cardinals 6, San Diego Padres 2October 8

Game 1, October 3

PETCO Park, San Diego, California

In a pitching rematch of Game 1 of the 2005 NLDS, Chris Carpenter and Jake Peavy both started strong through three innings and it appeared that the pitcher’s duel that was expected the previous year would occur this time around. That changed in the fourth inning when Albert Pujols hit a two-run home run 422 feet into one of the deepest parts of Petco Park. Peavy would give up an additional run in the fourth, as well as allowing a run in the fifth and sixth inning before being pulled in the sixth. Carpenter on the other hand continued his strong pitching performance as he pitched into the seventh inning, allowing just one run to cross the plate. The Cardinal bullpen, which had been shaky down the stretch, pitched the final two and two thirds of the game allowing just one hit. The Cardinals lead the best-of-five series one game to zero.[1]

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
St. Louis0003110005120
San Diego000001000160
WP: Chris Carpenter (1-0)  LP: Jake Peavy (0-1)  
HRs:  StL – Albert Pujols (1)  SD – Jeff Kent (1) |

Game 2, October 5

PETCO Park, San Diego, California

Cardinal starter Jeff Weaver and four relievers combined on a four hitter to shut out the Padres 2-0. The only runs scored in the game came in the fourth, as Albert Pujols and Jim Edmonds had back-to-back RBI singles.

Padre starter David Wells pitched well in a losing effort, going five innings and allowing two runs.
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
St. Louis0002000002100
San Diego000000000040
WP: Jeff Weaver (1-0)  LP: David Wells (0-1)  SV: Adam Wainwright (1)  
HRs:  SD – |

Game 3, October 7

Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri

Game 3 ended the Padres' eight-game winless streak against the Cardinals in the postseason and gave them their first postseason win since Game 6 of the 1998 NLCS. However, their offensive woes continued as they left 14 runners on base.

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
San Diego0003000003100
St. Louis000000010152
WP: Chris Young (1-0)  LP: Jeff Suppan (0-1)  SV: Trevor Hoffman (1)  
HRs:  StL – |

Game 4, October 8

Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri

After losing Game Three, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa decided to use Carpenter to start game four in hopes of closing out the Series at home. Carpenter started off shaky, allowing two runs (including a bases loaded walk) in the first inning, but he settled down and pitched six scoreless innings before being pulled in the 8th.

St. Louis answered with two runs in the bottom of the first to tie the score, and then scored four more unanswered runs in the sixth to take a 6-2 lead, with RBIs from Juan Encarnacion, Scott Spiezio, Chris Carpenter, and David Eckstein. Rookie pitcher Adam Wainwright pitched a scoreless ninth to close out the Series and allow the Cardinals to advance to the NLCS for the third consecutive year.

The offensive woes that plagued the Padres in the first three games continued for the Padres in game four. The team failed to score after the first, and went a combined 2-32 with runners in scoring position in the Series.

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
San Diego200000000291
St. Louis20000400X670
WP: Chris Carpenter (2-0)  LP: Woody Williams (0-1)  
HRs:  StL – So Taguchi (1) |

Quotes

  • "Payoff pitch again...there he goes...and there it goes! To deep left center field! Back, back, back, gone! Albert Pujols has done it again, a 2-run shot here in the 4th inning and the Cardinals have struck first 2-0." - Chris Berman
  • "3-2 to Martinez...in the air down the right field line. Green, in the corner, he's got room...and the New York Mets, for the first time since 2000, will advance to the National League Championship Series, they have swept the Dodgers, 3 games to none." - Thom Brennaman on FOX Sports
  • "Now it's 3 and 2, Loney running, Wagner deals: Swing and a fly ball, right field, towards the line -- Green over -- in foul ground, makes the catch! Put it in the books! The Mets are gonna play for the pennant! They have swept the Dodgers in the National League Division Series, winning three straight. They blew a four run lead early, the Dodgers came back to take a 5 to 4 lead, but the Mets stormed back, they win it 9 to 5 and now they are all jumping up and down right infront of second base!" - Howie Rose on WFAN
  • "2-2 pitch...breaking ball, on the ground to Pujols, and for the third straight year the St. Louis Cardinals advance to the National League Championship Series." - Thom Brennaman
  • "Swing and a slow roller to the Cardinal first baseman, he takes care of it unassisted, and the Redbirds are headin' for Gotham!"-Cardinal broadcaster Mike Shannon calls the last out of the NLDS

External links

References



2006 Major League Baseball Playoffs
2006 World Series
American League Championship Series
American League Division Series
AL Playoff teams: Detroit | Minnesota | New York | Oakland
National League Championship Series
National League Division Series
NL Playoff teams: Los Angeles | New York | St. Louis | San Diego
baseball events of the year 2006 throughout the world.   This year in baseball
2000s
2009 • 2008 • 2007 • 2006 • 2005
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National League Division Series (NLDS) determine which two teams from the National League will advance to the National League Championship Series. The Division Series consist of two best-of-five series, featuring the three division winners and a wild-card team.
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The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the National League, is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league.
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October 3 is the 1st day of the year (2nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 0 days remaining.

Events


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    San Ernesto, answering prayers for rain.
  • Also see October 8 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
  • French Republican Calendar - Citrouille (Pumpkin) Day, seventeenth day in the Month of Vendémiaire
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  • Navy Day in Peru

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    The term wild card refers broadly to a tournament or playoff berth awarded to an individual or team that has not qualified through normal play.
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    New York Mets Established 1962

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    San Diego Padres Established 1969

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    St. Louis Cardinals Established 1882

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    The 2006 National League Championship Series (NLCS), the second round of the 2006 National League playoffs, began on October 12 and ended on October 19; it was scheduled to begin on October 11, but was postponed a day because of inclement weather. The St.
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    The 2006 American League Championship Series (ALCS) was the second round of the 2006 American League playoffs; it began on October 10 and ended on October 14. The Detroit Tigers defeated the Oakland Athletics 4 games to 0 to advance to the 2006 World Series, and became the
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    2006 World Series

    Team Manager Games Won
    St. Louis Cardinals Tony La Russa 4
    Detroit Tigers Jim Leyland 1
    Dates October 21, 2006–October 27, 2006
    MVP David Eckstein
    Television network FOX


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    Gerald Sidney Davis (born February 22, 1953 in St. Louis, Missouri) is an umpire in Major League Baseball. Having worked in the National League from 1982 to 1999, he became a member of the unified umpiring staff for Major League Baseball in 2000. He has been a crew chief since 1999.
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    Gregory Allan Gibson (born October 2 1968 in Ironton, Ohio) is an umpire in Major League Baseball who has worked in the National League from 1997 to 1999 and in both major leagues since 2000. Throughout his career, he has worn the number 53 on his uniform.
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