What Is 2013 National League Division Series

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2013 National League Division Series (NLDS) was a best-of-five playoff series to determine the National League teams advancing to the 2013 NL Championship Series. The St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers won their respective series, with the Cardinals defeating the Atlanta Braves in five games and the Dodgers overcoming the Atlanta Braves in four games.

Key Facts

The 2013 NLDS took place from October 3 to October 11, 2013
Two series were played: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Atlanta Braves
The Cardinals won their series 3–2 after losing Game 1
The Dodgers defeated the Braves 3–1 in their series
Clayton Kershaw started Game 1 for the Dodgers and won with 11 strikeouts

Overview

The 2013 National League Division Series (NLDS) marked the opening round of the National League postseason, featuring two best-of-five matchups to determine which teams would advance to the 2013 National League Championship Series (NLCS). As part of Major League Baseball's playoff structure, the NLDS pitted division winners and wild card qualifiers against each other in high-stakes games.

Both series featured dramatic moments and standout performances, setting the stage for a competitive NLCS. The matchups included the St. Louis Cardinals versus the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers versus the Atlanta Braves, showcasing intense competition and pivotal pitching performances.

St. Louis Cardinals: Entered the NLDS as the NL Central champions with a 97–65 regular season record, securing home-field advantage.
Atlanta Braves: Won the NL East with a 96–66 record and hosted the Dodgers in Game 1 at Turner Field.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Secured the NL West title with a 92–70 record, led by pitchers Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke.
Format: Each series followed a 2–2–1 structure, with the higher seed hosting Games 1, 2, and 5.
Outcome: The Cardinals defeated the Braves 3–2, while the Dodgers swept the Braves 3–1, advancing to the NLCS.

How It Works

The NLDS format determines which teams progress to the National League Championship Series through a best-of-five series, with matchups based on seeding and division standings.

Best-of-Five Format: The first team to win three games advances; if necessary, Game 5 is hosted by the higher-seeded team.
Seeding Rules: Division winners are seeded 1–3 based on win-loss records, with the two wild card teams facing each other in a preliminary game.
Home-Field Advantage: The team with the better record hosts Games 1, 2, and 5, giving them a strategic edge in scheduling.
Wild Card Game: Introduced in 2012, the single-elimination game determines the second wild card entrant into the NLDS.
Travel Schedule: Teams alternate venues after Games 2 and 3, minimizing long-distance travel when possible.
Officiating: Seven umpires rotate positions across all series games, ensuring consistency in rule enforcement.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the two 2013 NLDS matchups compared in key performance categories:

Team	Series Result	Games Played	Key Pitcher	Home Runs
St. Louis Cardinals	3–2	5	Adam Wainwright (2 wins)	6
Atlanta Braves	2–3	5	Julio Teherán (1 win)	5
Los Angeles Dodgers	3–1	4	Clayton Kershaw (1 win, 11 Ks)	7
Atlanta Braves	1–3	4	Mike Minor (1 loss)	3
League Average (2013)	N/A	N/A	N/A	1.01 per game

The data shows that both Braves series were competitive, but the Dodgers' dominant offense and pitching gave them a clear edge. The Cardinals' longer series allowed for more home runs and pitching adjustments, reflecting the extended five-game format.

Why It Matters

The 2013 NLDS had lasting implications for team strategies, player legacies, and postseason formats in Major League Baseball.

Postseason Momentum: The Cardinals carried their NLDS comeback into the NLCS, eventually reaching the World Series.
Dodgers' Resurgence: Their 2013 run marked the start of a sustained playoff presence under new ownership.
Braves' Rebuild: After losing both series, Atlanta entered a multi-year rebuilding phase.
Clayton Kershaw's Legacy: His dominant performance reinforced his status as a postseason ace.
Wild Card Impact: The format increased unpredictability, making every regular-season game crucial.
TV Ratings: The NLDS averaged 4.5 million viewers per game, boosting MLB's broadcast revenue.

These outcomes influenced team management decisions and fan engagement for years to come, solidifying the NLDS as a pivotal stage in baseball's postseason narrative.