2011 National League Championship Series
Encyclopedia
The 2011 National League Championship Series
(abbreviated NLCS) was a best-of-seven playoff pitting the winners of the 2011 National League Division Series
, the St. Louis Cardinals
and Milwaukee Brewers
, against each other for the National League
championship and the right to be the league's representative in the 2011 World Series
. The series was the 42nd in league history.
The series began on October 9 to accommodate the World Series, which was scheduled to begin on October 19. TBS televised all games in the United States with Game 1 starting at 4:05pm EDT. Games 1, 2 and 6 were played at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
, while the other games were played at Busch Stadium
in St. Louis, Missouri
. By coincidence, Brian Anderson
, who usually calls Brewers games on Fox Sports Wisconsin during the regular season, did the play-by-play for the NLCS on TBS, along with Ron Darling
and John Smoltz
. Anderson filled in for regular TBS lead baseball announcer Ernie Johnson, who was tending to a son in the hospital.
This was the Brewers' first ever appearance in the NLCS, having moved to the National League
in 1998
. As an American League
team, the Brewers made the ALCS
in their pennant season of 1982, defeating the California Angels
3–2. The Cardinals, meanwhile, appeared in the NLCS for the first time since winning the 2006 World Series
. This was a rematch of the 1982 World Series
(a.k.a. the "Suds Series", with both cities associated with the brewing
industry—Milwaukee, whose ballpark was named after the Miller Brewing Company
, and St. Louis, whose Anheuser-Busch
company is namesake of the Cardinals' ballpark
), in which the Cardinals won 4–3.
) at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Game 1 would be a back and forth affair. The Cardinals manufactured a run in the first with a walk by Jon Jay
, a single by Albert Pujols
, and a two-out single from Matt Holliday
. The Brewers answered with a two-run home run from Ryan Braun
in bottom half. The Cardinals would go ahead in the fourth on a David Freese three-run home run and would add on a run with a Lance Berkman
single in the fifth. The Brewers came storming back in the fifth. The inning began with a Corey Hart single and a Jerry Hairston
double. Braun then hit a ground-rule double, making the score 5–4. Prince Fielder
put the Brewers ahead with a two-run home run and Yuniesky Betancourt
hit another two-run home run to make it 8–5 Brewers. A Pujols double-play grounder would make it 8–6, but the Brewers got the run back with a Jonathan Lucroy
RBI single in the seventh. Francisco Rodríguez would pitch a scoreless eighth inning and John Axford would get the save in the ninth as the Brewers took Game 1, 9–6.
) at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The Cardinals' offense erupted on Shaun Marcum for Game 2, with Albert Pujols leading the way with a home run, three doubles, three runs scored, and five RBI's. The Brewers had a chance to put the game within one run in the fifth, but Rickie Weeks grounded into a double play with the bases loaded, killing the Brewers rally. The Cardinals rallied for four more runs in the seventh to put the game away. The Cardinals won 12–3, tying the Series at a game apiece as well as potential momentum going back to St. Louis.
) at Busch Stadium
in St. Louis, Missouri
The Cardinals rallied for four runs in the first inning of Yovani Gallardo, but the Brewers tried to come back, scoring two runs in the second and another in the third on a Mark Kotsay home run. The Cardinals bullpen proved to be the difference, pitching four scoreless innings of relief for Chris Carpenter, giving the Cardinals the 4–3 win and a 2–1 series lead.
) at Busch Stadium
in St. Louis, Missouri
Brewers starter Randy Wolf kept Milwaukee from falling into a 1–3 series deficit, throwing seven stellar innings, striking out six batters. The Brewers scored two runs to tie the game in the fourth inning, with Jerry Hairston Jr. hitting an RBI double to score Prince Fielder, and Yuniesky Betancourt followed with a single to score Hairston. The Brewers scored another run in the fifth on a single by Ryan Braun, and another run in the sixth, thanks to a crucial error by Ryan Theriot. Though the Cardinals had the tying run at the plate in three of the last four innings, Wolf, along with relievers Francisco Rodríguez and John Axford, shut the Cardinals down to even the series at two games apiece and guaranteeing that the series would end in Milwaukee. It was also the Brewers first playoff win on the road since Game 1 of the 1982 World Series.
) at Busch Stadium
in St. Louis, Missouri
The Cardinals took advantage of four Milwaukee errors to grab a 3–2 series lead. Octavio Dotel
got the win in relief of Jaime García and Jason Motte earned another save. Matt Holliday's two-run double in the eighth put the game out of reach.
) at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The Cardinals got off to a quick start, scoring four runs off Shaun Marcum in the first. Lance Berkman got things started with an RBI single. Series MVP David Freese hit a three-run blast to extend their early lead. Marcum would last only this one inning. The Brewers got a run right back on a leadoff solo shot by Corey Hart in the bottom half of the inning, but the Redbirds would make it a four run game again as Rafael Furcal homered to make the score 5–1 in the second. Milwaukee would start to claw their way back in their half of the inning, as Rickie Weeks and Jonathan Lucroy hit a pair of home runs to make the score 5–4. In the third, however, Albert Pujols led off with a solo shot of his own. St. Louis would add three more runs to give themselves a commanding 9–4 lead. In the ninth, with the score 12–6, Cardinals closer Jason Motte came on to pitch in a non-save situation. Motte struck Mark Kotsay out swinging to end the game and give St. Louis the National League Pennant.
over Milwaukee Brewers
National League Championship Series
In Major League Baseball, the National League Championship Series is a round in the postseason that determines who wins the National League pennant and advances to Major League Baseball's championship, the World Series, facing the winner of the American League Championship Series. The reigning...
(abbreviated NLCS) was a best-of-seven playoff pitting the winners of the 2011 National League Division Series
2011 National League Division Series
The 2011 National League Division Series were two best-of-five playoffs comprising the opening round of the Major League Baseball postseason, played to determine the participating teams in the 2011 National League Championship Series. Three divisional winners and a fourth team—a wild card—played...
, the St. Louis Cardinals
2011 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals' 2011 season was the 130th season for the franchise in St. Louis, Missouri, the 120th season in the National League, and the sixth season at Busch Stadium III. The Cardinals began their season at home against the San Diego Padres on March 31, coming off a 86-76 season and...
and Milwaukee Brewers
2011 Milwaukee Brewers season
The Milwaukee Brewers' 2011 season was their 42nd season for the franchise in Milwaukee, the 14th in the National League, and 43rd overall. The Brewers posted a franchise-best record of 96-66, winning their first-ever National League Central Division title...
, against each other for the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
championship and the right to be the league's representative in the 2011 World Series
2011 World Series
The 2011 World Series was the 107th edition of Major League Baseball's championship series. The best-of-seven playoff was played between the American League champion Texas Rangers and the National League champion St...
. The series was the 42nd in league history.
The series began on October 9 to accommodate the World Series, which was scheduled to begin on October 19. TBS televised all games in the United States with Game 1 starting at 4:05pm EDT. Games 1, 2 and 6 were played at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
, while the other games were played at Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium is the home of the St. Louis Cardinals, of MLB...
in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
. By coincidence, Brian Anderson
Brian Anderson (broadcaster)
Brian Anderson is an American sportscaster. Since 2007, he has called play-by-play for the Milwaukee Brewers' telecasts on FSN Wisconsin. As a part of his work on the 2007 Brewers Preview Show, Anderson and the FSN team were awarded a regional Emmy Award....
, who usually calls Brewers games on Fox Sports Wisconsin during the regular season, did the play-by-play for the NLCS on TBS, along with Ron Darling
Ron Darling
Ronald Maurice Darling, Jr. is an American former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Mets, Oakland Athletics and Montreal Expos...
and John Smoltz
John Smoltz
John Andrew Smoltz is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher and active sportscaster. He is best known for his prolific career of more than two decades with the Atlanta Braves, in which he garnered eight All-Star selections and received the Cy Young Award in 1996...
. Anderson filled in for regular TBS lead baseball announcer Ernie Johnson, who was tending to a son in the hospital.
This was the Brewers' first ever appearance in the NLCS, having moved to the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
in 1998
1998 Milwaukee Brewers season
The Milwaukee Brewers' 1998 season was the first season for the franchise as a member of the National League. The Brewers finished in fifth in the NL Central, 28 games behind the Houston Astros, with a record of 74 wins and 88 losses. Before the 1998 regular season began, two new teams—the Arizona...
. As an American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
team, the Brewers made the ALCS
1982 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 5, 1982 at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, CaliforniaThe Angels jumped to a 1–0 lead in the first when Brian Downing scored an unearned run on a sacrifice fly by Don Baylor. Milwaukee came back to take a 3–1 lead with a two-run homer by Gorman Thomas in the second and a run...
in their pennant season of 1982, defeating the California Angels
1982 California Angels season
The California Angels 1982 season involved the Angels finishing 1st in the American League west with a record of 93 wins and 69 losses.- Offseason :* December 6, 1981: Bob Boone was purchased by the Angels from the Philadelphia Phillies....
3–2. The Cardinals, meanwhile, appeared in the NLCS for the first time since winning the 2006 World Series
2006 World Series
The 2006 World Series, the 102nd edition of Major League Baseball's championship series, began on October 21 and ended on October 27, and matched the American League champion Detroit Tigers against the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals won the Series in five games, taking...
. This was a rematch of the 1982 World Series
1982 World Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 12, 1982 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MissouriThe Brewers' left-hander Mike Caldwell pitched a complete game shutout, allowing only three hits. The Brewers' offense was led by Paul Molitor, who had a World Series-record five hits and two RBIs...
(a.k.a. the "Suds Series", with both cities associated with the brewing
Brewing
Brewing is the production of beer through steeping a starch source in water and then fermenting with yeast. Brewing has taken place since around the 6th millennium BCE, and archeological evidence suggests that this technique was used in ancient Egypt...
industry—Milwaukee, whose ballpark was named after the Miller Brewing Company
Miller Brewing Company
The Miller Brewing Company is an American beer brewing company owned by the United Kingdom-based SABMiller. Its regional headquarters are located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the company has brewing facilities in Albany, Georgia; Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin; Eden, North Carolina; Fort Worth, Texas;...
, and St. Louis, whose Anheuser-Busch
Anheuser-Busch
Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. , is an American brewing company. The company operates 12 breweries in the United States and 18 in other countries. It was, until December 2009, also one of America's largest theme park operators; operating ten theme parks across the United States through the...
company is namesake of the Cardinals' ballpark
Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium is the home of the St. Louis Cardinals, of MLB...
), in which the Cardinals won 4–3.
Milwaukee Brewers vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Game 1
Sunday, October 9, 2011 – 4:05 pm (EDTEastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
) at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
Game 1 would be a back and forth affair. The Cardinals manufactured a run in the first with a walk by Jon Jay
Jon Jay
Jonathan Henry Jay is an outfielder who plays for the St. Louis Cardinals.-Baseball career:He was drafted by the Cardinals out of the University of Miami in the second round of the 2006 MLB Draft...
, a single by Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
, and a two-out single from Matt Holliday
Matt Holliday
Matthew Thomas Holliday , nicknamed "Big Daddy", is an American Major League Baseball left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Holliday was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the seventh round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft.Holliday is a five-time All-Star and Silver Slugger...
. The Brewers answered with a two-run home run from Ryan Braun
Ryan Braun
Ryan Joseph Braun is an American right-handed Major League Baseball left fielder for the Milwaukee Brewers. A perennial standout, he was ranked No...
in bottom half. The Cardinals would go ahead in the fourth on a David Freese three-run home run and would add on a run with a Lance Berkman
Lance Berkman
William Lance Berkman is an American professional baseball outfielder and right fielder with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball....
single in the fifth. The Brewers came storming back in the fifth. The inning began with a Corey Hart single and a Jerry Hairston
Jerry Hairston, Jr.
Jerry Wayne Hairston, Jr. is a Mexican-American professional baseball utility player.-Professional career:...
double. Braun then hit a ground-rule double, making the score 5–4. Prince Fielder
Prince Fielder
Prince Semien Fielder is a Major League Baseball free agent who plays first base. He is currently listed at 5' 11" and . He was selected by the Brewers in the first round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft out of Eau Gallie High School in Melbourne, Florida.He is the son of former Detroit...
put the Brewers ahead with a two-run home run and Yuniesky Betancourt
Yuniesky Betancourt
Yuniesky Betancourt is a Major League Baseball shortstop. He resides in Boca Raton, Florida.-Cuban leagues:...
hit another two-run home run to make it 8–5 Brewers. A Pujols double-play grounder would make it 8–6, but the Brewers got the run back with a Jonathan Lucroy
Jonathan Lucroy
Jonathan Charles Lucroy is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Milwaukee Brewers.-High school and college:...
RBI single in the seventh. Francisco Rodríguez would pitch a scoreless eighth inning and John Axford would get the save in the ninth as the Brewers took Game 1, 9–6.
Game 2
Monday, October 10, 2011 – 8:05 pm (EDTEastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
) at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
The Cardinals' offense erupted on Shaun Marcum for Game 2, with Albert Pujols leading the way with a home run, three doubles, three runs scored, and five RBI's. The Brewers had a chance to put the game within one run in the fifth, but Rickie Weeks grounded into a double play with the bases loaded, killing the Brewers rally. The Cardinals rallied for four more runs in the seventh to put the game away. The Cardinals won 12–3, tying the Series at a game apiece as well as potential momentum going back to St. Louis.
Game 3
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 – 8:05 pm (EDTEastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
) at Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium is the home of the St. Louis Cardinals, of MLB...
in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
The Cardinals rallied for four runs in the first inning of Yovani Gallardo, but the Brewers tried to come back, scoring two runs in the second and another in the third on a Mark Kotsay home run. The Cardinals bullpen proved to be the difference, pitching four scoreless innings of relief for Chris Carpenter, giving the Cardinals the 4–3 win and a 2–1 series lead.
Game 4
Thursday, October 13, 2011 – 8:05 pm (EDTEastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
) at Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium is the home of the St. Louis Cardinals, of MLB...
in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
Brewers starter Randy Wolf kept Milwaukee from falling into a 1–3 series deficit, throwing seven stellar innings, striking out six batters. The Brewers scored two runs to tie the game in the fourth inning, with Jerry Hairston Jr. hitting an RBI double to score Prince Fielder, and Yuniesky Betancourt followed with a single to score Hairston. The Brewers scored another run in the fifth on a single by Ryan Braun, and another run in the sixth, thanks to a crucial error by Ryan Theriot. Though the Cardinals had the tying run at the plate in three of the last four innings, Wolf, along with relievers Francisco Rodríguez and John Axford, shut the Cardinals down to even the series at two games apiece and guaranteeing that the series would end in Milwaukee. It was also the Brewers first playoff win on the road since Game 1 of the 1982 World Series.
Game 5
Friday, October 14, 2011 – 8:05 pm (EDTEastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
) at Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium is the home of the St. Louis Cardinals, of MLB...
in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
The Cardinals took advantage of four Milwaukee errors to grab a 3–2 series lead. Octavio Dotel
Octavio Dotel
Octavio Eduardo Dotel is a Domincan professional baseball pitcher who is currently a Free Agent....
got the win in relief of Jaime García and Jason Motte earned another save. Matt Holliday's two-run double in the eighth put the game out of reach.
Game 6
Sunday, October 16, 2011 – 8:05 pm (EDTEastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
) at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
The Cardinals got off to a quick start, scoring four runs off Shaun Marcum in the first. Lance Berkman got things started with an RBI single. Series MVP David Freese hit a three-run blast to extend their early lead. Marcum would last only this one inning. The Brewers got a run right back on a leadoff solo shot by Corey Hart in the bottom half of the inning, but the Redbirds would make it a four run game again as Rafael Furcal homered to make the score 5–1 in the second. Milwaukee would start to claw their way back in their half of the inning, as Rickie Weeks and Jonathan Lucroy hit a pair of home runs to make the score 5–4. In the third, however, Albert Pujols led off with a solo shot of his own. St. Louis would add three more runs to give themselves a commanding 9–4 lead. In the ninth, with the score 12–6, Cardinals closer Jason Motte came on to pitch in a non-save situation. Motte struck Mark Kotsay out swinging to end the game and give St. Louis the National League Pennant.
Composite box
2011 NLCS (4–2): St. Louis Cardinals2011 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals' 2011 season was the 130th season for the franchise in St. Louis, Missouri, the 120th season in the National League, and the sixth season at Busch Stadium III. The Cardinals began their season at home against the San Diego Padres on March 31, coming off a 86-76 season and...
over Milwaukee Brewers
2011 Milwaukee Brewers season
The Milwaukee Brewers' 2011 season was their 42nd season for the franchise in Milwaukee, the 14th in the National League, and 43rd overall. The Brewers posted a franchise-best record of 96-66, winning their first-ever National League Central Division title...