NL Division Series Winners

Major League Baseball’s first move toward the Division Series playoff format was born out of necessity. When a work stoppage wiped out a significant portion of the 1981 season, it was determined that first and second “half” winners would meet for the right to go on to the League Championship Series.

The concept of an extra round of playoffs stayed on the shelf until 1995, when — Cha-Ching! — everyone realized there was more money to be made by extending the postseason. The change has produced some early October drama…and some real duds.

Here are the results of the National League Division Series matchups over the years. You also can check out a video of the best moments in Division Series history at MLB.com.

2008 –Philadelphia 3, Milwaukee 1; Los Angeles 3, Chicago 0
2007 — Arizona 3, Chicago 0; Colorado 3, Philadelphia 0
2006 — St. Louis 3, San Diego 1; New York 3, LA 0
2005 — St. Louis 3, San Diego 0; Houston 3, Atlanta 1
2004 — St. Louis 3, Los Angeles 1; Houston 3, Atlanta 2
2003 — Florida 3, San Francisco 1; Chicago 3, Atlanta 2
2002 — San Francisco 3, Atlanta 2; St. Louis 3, Arizona 0
2001 — Arizona 3, St. Louis 2; Atlanta 3, Houston 0
2000 — St. Louis 3, Atlanta 0; New York 3, San Francisco 1
1999 — Atlanta 3, Houston 1; New York 3, Arizona 1
1998 — Atlanta 3, Chicago 0; San Diego 3, Houston 1
1997 – Atlanta 3, Houston 0; Florida 3, San Francisco 0
1996 — Atlanta 3, Los Angeles 0; St. Louis 3, San Diego 0
1995 — Atlanta 3, Colorado 1; Cincinnati 3, Los Angeles 0
*1981 — Montreal 3, Philadelphia 2; LA 3, Houston 2

* A strike-shortened 1981 season resulted in the addition of an extra round of playoffs.

Source: MLB.com