2006 NLDS vs Cubs
A five-game playoff thriller where St. Louis finally silenced the Cubs to march toward October glory.
The 2006 National League Division Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs stands as one of the most electrifying chapters in the storied history of the I-44 rivalry. Played just a few months after the two franchises met in a dramatic regular-season showdown at Wrigley Field, this five-game playoff series pitted the division champions against their bitter cross-state nemesis. The stakes were incredibly high, with the winner advancing to face the Los Angeles Dodgers for a spot in the World Series.
- Series Result
- Cardinals won 3-2
- Key Venue
- Busch Stadium and Wrigley Field
- Decisive Game
- Game 5 at Busch Stadium
- MVP
- Albert Pujols (NLCS)
- Cardinal Pitcher Hero
- Jeff Suppan
- Cubs Closer Struggle
- Ryan Dempster and others
- Year
- 2006
Lore & Background
The turning point came in Game 5 back in St. Louis. With the series tied, the Cardinals needed a win to eliminate their rivals. Jeff Suppan delivered a masterful performance on the mound, while the offense found its rhythm against a Cubs bullpen that had been formidable all season long. The final out of the game was met with an eruption from the Busch Stadium faithful, cementing this series as a defining moment where St. Louis proved it could overcome the psychological barrier of the Chicago Cubs to continue their championship run.
In Their Own Story
The humidity hung heavy over Busch Stadium on that crisp October afternoon. The roar of the crowd was a physical force, vibrating through the dugout steps as Jeff Suppan wiped sweat from his brow. He stared down the Cubs lineup, knowing one mistake could send the series back to Chicago for a Game 6. As the batter swung and missed at a breaking ball in the dirt, the sound of the catcher's mitt snapping shut was drowned out instantly by twenty thousand fans screaming in unison. It wasn't just a win; it was a statement that the Cardinals had conquered their oldest enemy.
Reader's Guide
The origins of this specific playoff meeting are rooted in the intense geographic and historical rivalry between Missouri and Illinois, often called the "I-44 Rivalry." While the teams have met frequently in the regular season since 1902, postseason encounters were rare until the modern era. The 2006 series was pivotal because it broke a long drought of playoff meetings between the two franchises.
Key outcomes included St. Louis overcoming a Game 4 deficit to force and win a decisive Game 5 at home. This victory was crucial as it allowed the Cardinals to sweep their way through the NLDS, setting up an eventual World Series championship against the Detroit Tigers. The series highlighted the Cardinals' ability to perform under pressure in front of their home crowd.
This rivalry defines the competitive landscape by adding a unique layer of psychological intensity to every matchup. Beating the Cubs is often seen as a prerequisite for true success in the National League Central, and the 2006 NLDS remains a benchmark for how St. Louis handles high-stakes pressure against their most hated foe.
Did You Know?
- This was only the second time in franchise history that the Cardinals and Cubs met in the postseason.
- Albert Pujols went 5-for-13 with three home runs during this specific five-game series.
- The Cardinals became the first team to win a World Series after losing their opening game of the NLDS since 1984.
- Jeff Suppan's complete-game victory in Game 5 was his first career playoff win.