The Dodgers advance to their second consecutive National League championship series, beating St. Louis 5-1 to complete a three-game sweep of the Redbirds in the NLDS. Solid pitching by late-season pick-up Vicente Padilla and timely hitting by Andre Ethier, who had three extra-base hits, and Manny Ramirez, who broke out of a slump with three hits and two RBIs, close out the series, which will be best remembered for the team’s dramatic Game 2 comeback when Matt Holliday’s error on James Loney’s ninth-inning two-out line drive leads to a stunning two-run walk-off rally.

In Matt Holliday’s first at-bat at home since his critical error allowed LA to stage an amazing comeback victory, the Cardinals’ left fielder receives a standing ovation from the sellout crowd of 47,296 at Busch Stadium. The former NLCS MVP award winner (Colorado – 2007), who will become a free agent after the season, is touched by the fans’ reaction and very appreciative of their support.

2009 – The Los Angeles Dodgers complete a three-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals with a 5 – 1 win at Busch Stadium in the NLDS. Andre Ethier has a double, triple and three-run homer, while Manny Ramirez has two doubles among his three hits to lead the Dodger offense. Vicente Padilla gets the win, over Joel Pineiro.

Los Angeles takes a commanding two games to none lead over Boston in the other ALDS with a 4 – 1 win at Angel Stadium. Jered Weaver allows only two hits in 7 1/3 innings for the Angels, who score three runs off Josh Beckett in the 7th to break a 1 – 1 tie.

Twins closer Joe Nathan gives up a game-tying two-run homer to the Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez in the 9th and Minnesota wastes a slew of opportunities to put New York away in Game 2 of their ALDS, losing, 4 – 3, in 11 innings. Mark Teixeira hits a walk-off home run off Jose Mijares to end the game, after Minnesota wastes a bases-loaded, none out opportunity in the top of the 11th.

A ninth-inning error by left fielder Matt Holliday with the bases empty and two-out leads to the Dodgers’ stunning 3-2 walk-off victory and gives LA a commanding 2-0 game advantage in the NLDS. After the crucial miscue on the sinking line drive, Cardinals’ closer Ryan Franklin gives up RBI singles to Ronnie Belliard and pinch-hitter Mark Loretta to complete the improbable two-run comeback rally.

The Los Angeles Angels open their fourth Division Series in recent years against the Boston Red Sox in an unusual manner – with a win. John Lackey pitches 7 1/3 scoreless innings and Torii Hunter hits a three-run homer off Jon Lester in the 5th to drive the 5 – 0 win.

The Cardinals litterally drop the ball in their NLDS encounter with the Dodgers. With the Cards leading 2 – 1 with two outs and none on in the bottom of the 9th, Matt Holliday drops James Loney’s line drive for a two-base error. Four batters later, pinch hitter Mark Loretta hits a soft single to center off Ryan Franklin, and the Dodgers win, 3 – 2.

The Rockies even their Division Series with a 5 – 4 win over the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. They jump for four runs in five innings against 2008 Postseason hero Cole Hamels, highlighted by Yorvit Torrealba’s two-run homer in the 4th. The Phillies mount a comeback with 3 runs off Aaron Cook in the 6th and a solo homer by Jayson Werth in the 8th, but Huston Street closes out the game with a scoreless inning of relief for the save.

2009 – In the first ALDS, New York beats Minnesota, 7 – 2, in the first postseason game to be played in New Yankee Stadium. Just like old times, Derek Jeter has a key hit, a game-tying home run off Brian Duensing in the 2nd inning. The Yankees and CC Sabathia roll from that point on, with Alex Rodriguez and Hideki Matsui, who blasts a two-run homer, collecting the key hits in the 5th inning.