What Is 2011 National League Division Series

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2011 National League Division Series (NLDS) was a best-of-five playoff series to determine the National League Championship Series participants. It featured the Milwaukee Brewers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks and the St. Louis Cardinals vs. Philadelphia Phillies, with the Brewers and Cardinals advancing. The series took place from October 1 to October 7, 2011.

Key Facts

The 2011 NLDS was played from October 1 to October 7, 2011
Milwaukee Brewers defeated Arizona Diamondbacks 3–2 in a full five-game series
St. Louis Cardinals swept Philadelphia Phillies 3–0 in the other NLDS matchup
Roy Halladay started Game 1 for the Phillies but lost 3–2 in 10 innings
David Freese hit a go-ahead triple in Game 3 of the Cardinals-Phillies series

Overview

The 2011 National League Division Series (NLDS) marked the opening round of the National League postseason, determining which two teams would advance to the National League Championship Series (NLCS). Held from October 1 to October 7, 2011, the NLDS followed a best-of-five format, featuring the Milwaukee Brewers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks and the St. Louis Cardinals vs. Philadelphia Phillies.

Both series produced dramatic moments, with one going the full five games and the other ending in a sweep. The outcomes set the stage for the Cardinals' eventual World Series championship, highlighting pivotal performances from key players and managers during high-pressure matchups.

Game 1 of Brewers-Diamondbacks occurred on October 1, 2011, at Chase Field, where Milwaukee won 4–1 behind strong pitching from Yovani Gallardo and two RBIs from Ryan Braun.
The Diamondbacks tied the series on October 3 with a 10–6 victory, powered by Chris Young’s two home runs and seven runs in the third inning.
Game 3 shifted to Milwaukee on October 4, where the Brewers won 8–1, led by Rickie Weeks’ grand slam off Wade Miley in the third inning.
Arizona avoided elimination on October 5 with a 8–1 win, as Ian Kennedy threw seven shutout innings and Justin Upton drove in three runs.
The decisive Game 5 on October 7 saw Milwaukee win 3–2, with Nyjer Morgan scoring the winning run on a wild pitch by J.J. Putz in the 10th inning.

How It Works

The NLDS is structured as a best-of-five series, with home-field advantage awarded to the higher-seeded team. The format uses a 2-2-1 setup, where the team with home-field advantage hosts Games 1, 2, and 5 (if necessary).

Best-of-five format: Teams must win three games to advance. The 2011 NLDS required 10 total games across two matchups, with one series going the full five games.
Home-field advantage: Awarded to division winners with better records. In 2011, Milwaukee and Philadelphia had home-field advantage in their respective series.
Game scheduling: Games are typically played every other day. The 2011 NLDS ran from October 1 to October 7, with travel days built in for cross-country matchups.
Roster rules: Teams carry 25 players, with pitchers limited to specific rest and usage rules. In 2011, Milwaukee used 11 pitchers across five games.
Officiating: Each game has a crew of six umpires, rotating positions. In Game 5, umpire Tim Welke called balls and strikes at home plate.
Postseason eligibility: Players must be on the 40-man roster or injured list by August 31. In 2011, the Phillies added Hunter Pence after the deadline, making him ineligible.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the two 2011 NLDS matchups reveals key differences in competitiveness, scoring, and outcomes.

Series	Winner	Games Played	Key Stat	Deciding Game Score
Brewers vs. Diamondbacks	Milwaukee Brewers	5	2.8 runs per game average	3–2 (10 innings)
Cardinals vs. Phillies	St. Louis Cardinals	3	Phillies scored only 5 runs total	1–0 (Cardinals win Game 3)
Starting Pitcher ERA (Winning Team)	2.92 (Brewers)	—	3.12 (Cardinals)	—
Home Wins	4 out of 5	—	3 out of 3	—
Closer Save Opportunities	John Axford: 2 saves	—	Jason Motte: 1 save	—

The Cardinals-Phillies series was notable for its low scoring and dominant pitching, especially from Chris Carpenter, who won Game 5 of the 2011 NLCS. In contrast, the Brewers-Diamondbacks series featured multiple lead changes and extra innings, reflecting a more volatile matchup. Both series underscored the importance of bullpen depth and timely hitting under playoff pressure.

Why It Matters

The 2011 NLDS had lasting implications for team legacies, player careers, and postseason strategy. It marked the end of the Phillies' 'Four Aces' era and the rise of the Cardinals as eventual World Series champions.

The Cardinals' sweep of the Phillies ended Philadelphia’s hopes despite their 102-win regular season, marking one of the most lopsided postseason exits for a top seed.
David Freese emerged as a clutch performer, hitting a go-ahead triple in Game 3, foreshadowing his World Series heroics.
Roy Halladay’s loss in Game 1 was a turning point; he allowed 3 runs in 7.1 innings but received no offensive support, ending his unbeaten postseason streak.
Milwaukee’s victory marked their first playoff series win since 1982, reigniting fan enthusiasm in Wisconsin after decades of drought.
J.J. Putz’s Game 5 wild pitch became a defining moment, costing Arizona the series and leading to his removal from closer duties in 2012.
Postseason format changes were later influenced by such dramatic series, contributing to the eventual expansion to a wild-card game in 2012.

The 2011 NLDS remains a benchmark for playoff unpredictability, where underdogs advanced and favorites faltered, reshaping team trajectories across the National League.