History of Phillies-Dodgers Postseason Matchups

The Phillies and Dodgers have built one of October’s most familiar rivalries. This is the first time they’re meeting in the NLDS, but it’s hardly a new dance.

All five previous postseason meetings came in the National League Championship Series, which was a best-of-five series from its 1969 creation through 1984, before Major League Baseball expanded it to best-of-seven in 1985. Those matchups weren’t just series; they were markers in each franchise’s timeline.

Here is the history of their matchups:

1977 NLCS: Dodgers Win, 3-1

This long history began in 1977, when “Black Friday” happened at Veterans Stadium, which is still part of Philly lore.

Game 3, the Phillies had a 5-3 lead with two outs in the ninth, only to watch Vic Davalillo lay down a surprise bunt, ripped a pinch-hit drive that Greg Luzinski reached for but couldn’t secure off the wall. Davey Lopes’ hot shot grounder kicked off Mike Schmidt, Larry Bowa barehanded and fired to first, but first base umpire Bruce Froemming called Lopes safe. Bill Russell singled, and the Dodgers stole Game 3, then the series, when Los Angeles won the series the next day.

For a generation of fans, that was the moment they learned how cruel October could be, and it can be classified as the genesis of generational trauma for how brutal October can be to Phils fans.

1978 NLCS: Dodgers Win, 3-1

A year later, 1978 piled on. This series made Lopes disliked for a decade in Philly.

Game 4 was a heartbreaker. In the 10th inning at Dodger Stadium, Garry Maddox misplayed a line drive off the bat of Dusty Baker, allowing Ron Cey to go to third, and Bill Russell singled, scoring Cey, completing the Dodgers’ walk-off to clinch in an absolutely devastating fashion.

In addition to Lopes killing the ball all series, Steve Garvey hammered his way to the NLCS MVP. Los Angeles won the series 3-1 yet again.

Phillies fans were left with another winter of what-ifs and a broken heart.

1983 NLCS: Phillies Win, 3-1

Redemption came in 1983 with the “Wheeze Kids.”

Schmidt started the series off with his first division series home run off of Jerry Reuss. Steve Carlton beat the Dodgers twice, Gary Matthews homered three times, and took home the MVP.

Al Holland struck out Russell to close the clincher at the Vet as the Phillies won the series 3-1.

It felt like the weight of the 70s had been lifted. Though they finally conquered the Dodgers in the NLCS, they fell to the Orioles in the World Series.

2008 NLCS: Phillies Win, 4-1

Then came the new millennium.

In 2008, the Phillies were finally the team dictating terms. Cole Hamels shut down the Dodgers in Game 1 and again in Game 5 to claim the MVP.

There were some fireworks in game three, where a Dodgers pitcher threw behind the head of Shane Victorino, which led to benches clearing and Manny Ramirez putting on a tough guy show. Ironically, Lopes, who was the Phils’ first base coach, and Bowa, who was the Dodgers’ third base coach, were seen barking at each other as well in the scuffle.

The signature moment came in the 8th inning of Game 4: Victorino’s two-run homer tied it, and Matt Stairs followed with a two-run blast that was launched deep into the Los Angeles night, and landed way back in right field to take the lead, then Brad Lidge came in for a 4-out save.

The Phillies finished the job in five and rode the momentum to a World Series title.

2009 NLCS: Phillies Win, 4-1

October 2009 became the exclamation point.

In Game 1 in Los Angeles, the Phillies pounced on a young Clayton Kershaw, in a little bit of playoff foreshadowing for Kershaw’s career playoff struggles.

Back at Citizens Bank Park, Cliff Lee dominated in Game 3, and Game 4 is still replayed in highlight packages: two outs, two on, Jonathan Broxton pitching, Jimmy Rollins driving a ball into the right-center gap for a walk-off double.

Ryan Howard’s historic run at the plate carried him to series MVP, and the Phillies closed it out in five.

Winning this series made one thing certain: the rivalry’s balance of power had flipped.

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That’s the backdrop to this week. The NLCS used to be a best-of-five series; this NLDS is exactly that. Different round, different decade, yet the stakes remain the same. The Dodgers bring their stars and record-shattering payroll, along with their hefty pre-season expectations.

The Phillies counter with their stars and the history of Black Friday, Garvey, Carlton, Stairs, Victorino, Howard, and Rollins with them into Saturday’s matchup.

Red October feels different this time around. Can Cristopher Sanchez and Jesus Luzardo channel Carlton, Lee, and Hammels? Do Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and Trea Turner have a little Rollins, Victorino, and Howard in them? Can a Jhoan Duran 103 mph fastball ring the bell like a Lidge slider did?

We all believe so.

One thing is for certain: the Phillies have the best home record in baseball with 55 wins and home-field advantage in the series. With the teams having identical 41-40 road records, the home crowds at Citizens Bank Park will definitely have an impact on how the next chapter of this storied postseason rivalry is written.

Game 1 is Saturday night at Citizens Bank Park, where Sanchez will face off against Shohei Ohtani.

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