What Is 1997 National League Division Series

Overview

The 1997 National League Division Series marked the third round of the National League postseason under the expanded playoff format introduced in 1995. It featured two best-of-five series to determine which teams would advance to the National League Championship Series (NLCS).

With four teams qualifying from the NL—two division winners and one wild card—the matchups pitted the Atlanta Braves against the Houston Astros, and the Florida Marlins against the San Francisco Giants. All games were played between September 30 and October 6, 1997.

• Atlanta Braves entered the NLDS as the NL East champions with a 101-61 regular season record, the best in the National League.
• Houston Astros qualified as the NL Central champions, finishing with a 84-78 record and winning a tightly contested division.
• Florida Marlins secured the NL Wild Card berth with a 92-70 record, led by strong performances from pitcher Livan Hernández and slugger Gary Sheffield.
• San Francisco Giants won the NL West with a 90-72 record, powered by MVP-caliber seasons from Barry Bonds and Jeff Kent.
• All six games in the 1997 NLDS were won by the home team, highlighting the advantage of home-field advantage during that postseason.

Results & Matchups

The two NLDS series produced clean sweeps, with both advancing teams winning in three straight games. The outcomes set the stage for a dramatic NLCS between the Braves and Marlins.

• Braves vs. Astros: Atlanta swept Houston 3-0, winning Game 1 (2–1), Game 2 (15–2), and Game 3 (4–1) at the Astrodome.
• Greg Maddux pitched a complete game in Game 1, allowing just one run and solidifying Atlanta’s dominance early in the series.
• Chipper Jones had a standout performance in Game 2, going 4-for-5 with two home runs and five RBIs in Atlanta’s 15–2 rout.
• Florida Marlins swept the Giants 3-0, winning Game 1 (2–1), Game 2 (6–2), and Game 3 (4–2) at 3Com Park.
• Livan Hernández delivered a dominant Game 1 start, striking out 15 batters—the most ever by a rookie in postseason history at the time.
• Marlins’ bullpen held strong in Game 3, preserving a 4–2 lead with key relief appearances by Jay Powell and Robb Nen.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the four teams that competed in the 1997 NLDS, highlighting key statistics and outcomes:

The table underscores the dominance of home-field advantage in the 1997 NLDS. Despite Houston’s lower win total, they earned their division title in a weak NL Central, while the Marlins capitalized on their strong finish to win the wild card and ultimately the World Series.

Why It Matters

The 1997 NLDS was a pivotal moment in baseball history, setting the stage for the Marlins’ improbable championship run and showcasing the Braves’ continued dominance in the NL East.

• Marlins’ first postseason: The 1997 NLDS was the first playoff appearance in franchise history, marking a rapid rise for the expansion team.
• Braves’ consistency: Atlanta reached the NLCS for the sixth time in seven years, highlighting their sustained excellence under manager Bobby Cox.
• Rookie impact: Livan Hernández’s 15-strikeout game set a rookie postseason record, foreshadowing his future success.
• Home-field dominance: The 100% home win rate emphasized the importance of securing home-field advantage in the playoffs.
• End of an era: The Astros’ loss marked the end of their first playoff appearance since 1986, before their later dominance in the 2000s.
• Championship trajectory: The Marlins went on to defeat the Braves in the NLCS and win the World Series in seven games over Cleveland.

The 1997 NLDS remains notable not just for the sweeps, but for launching the Marlins’ first championship run and reinforcing the Braves’ status as a postseason powerhouse.