What Is 2015 National League Division Series

Overview

The 2015 National League Division Series (NLDS) marked a pivotal stage in Major League Baseball’s postseason, narrowing the field to two teams competing for the National League pennant. As a best-of-five series, it followed the Wild Card Game and set the stage for the National League Championship Series.

Two matchups defined the 2015 NLDS: the New York Mets versus the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs versus the St. Louis Cardinals. Both series delivered dramatic moments, with the Mets overcoming a 2–1 deficit to win in five games, while the Cubs secured their first playoff series win since 2003.

• New York Mets vs. Los Angeles Dodgers: The Mets won the series 3–2 after trailing 2–1, with key performances from Daniel Murphy and Matt Harvey.
• Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals: The Cubs won 3–1, marking their first postseason series victory in 12 years and signaling a turning point for the franchise.
• Dates: The NLDS games were played between October 9 and October 15, 2015, with all games broadcast nationally on TBS.
• Game 5 drama: In the Mets-Dodgers series, Game 5 ended with a 3–2 Mets victory, highlighted by a 13th-inning home run by Daniel Murphy.
• Young talent: The Cubs' success was fueled by young players like Kris Bryant and Javier Báez, who combined for key hits and defensive plays.

How It Works

The NLDS is structured as a best-of-five series, with the higher-seeded team hosting Games 1, 2, and (if necessary) Game 5. The matchups are determined by regular-season records and playoff seeding.

• Format: The NLDS uses a 2–2–1 home-field advantage structure, where the team with the better record hosts Games 1, 2, and 5.
• Qualification: Two division winners and two Wild Card teams qualify, with the top seed facing the Wild Card winner unless division winners meet.
• Wild Card Game: A single-elimination game determines the final NLDS participant, as seen in 2015 when the Pittsburgh Pirates lost to the Chicago Cubs.
• Home-field advantage: Awarded to the team with the better regular-season record, influencing scheduling and crowd support throughout the series.
• Extra innings: Games can extend beyond nine innings, as seen in Game 5 of Mets-Dodgers, which lasted 13 innings.
• Player eligibility: Rosters are set before the series, with limited substitutions allowed, impacting strategic decisions by managers.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the two 2015 NLDS matchups, highlighting key statistics and outcomes:

The comparison shows how momentum, bullpen usage, and clutch hitting determined outcomes more than regular-season records. The Cubs’ victory broke a long playoff drought, while the Mets’ resilience foreshadowed their run to the World Series.

Why It Matters

The 2015 NLDS was a turning point for both franchises involved, reshaping narratives and setting the stage for future success. The outcomes had lasting implications on team morale, fan engagement, and postseason strategies.

• End of a drought: The Cubs’ win ended a 12-year playoff series drought, reigniting hope in one of baseball’s most storied franchises.
• Mets’ breakthrough: The Mets advanced to the NLCS for the first time since 2006, led by a resurgent David Wright and Jacob deGrom.
• Daniel Murphy’s rise: Murphy hit home runs in six consecutive postseason games, transforming his reputation as a power hitter.
• Cardinals’ decline: The loss marked the end of St. Louis’ dominance, as they failed to return to the NLCS in subsequent years.
• Television ratings: Games averaged over 7 million viewers, boosting TBS’s postseason viewership significantly.
• Path to the World Series: The Mets went on to face the Royals, though they ultimately lost in five games despite strong performances.

The 2015 NLDS remains memorable for its dramatic finishes and the emergence of new baseball narratives, underscoring the unpredictability and excitement of October baseball.