The Phillies take a 2 games to 1 lead in their NLDS with a 6 – 5 win over the Rockies in frigid conditions at Coors Field. Chase Utley hits a 1st-inning home run and benefits from a dubious umpiring call that leads to the winning run in the 9th. Much-maligned Phillies’ closer Brad Lidge picks up the save after placing the tying and winning runs on base via walks in the bottom of the 9th.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.