What Is 1998 National League Division Series

Overview

The 1998 National League Division Series (NLDS) marked the opening round of the National League playoffs, serving as a best-of-five series to determine which two teams would advance to the National League Championship Series (NLCS). Held in the final days of September and early October 1998, the NLDS featured matchups between division winners and wild card qualifiers under MLB's expanded playoff format introduced in 1994.

Two series were played: the San Diego Padres versus the Houston Astros, and the Atlanta Braves versus the Chicago Cubs. The winners would go on to face each other in the NLCS, with the ultimate victor advancing to the 1998 World Series. This year was notable for the Padres reaching the World Series for the second time in franchise history.

• San Diego Padres defeated the Houston Astros 3–1 in a tightly contested NL West matchup, winning Game 4 at the Astrodome to close the series.
• Atlanta Braves swept the Chicago Cubs 3–0, winning all three games decisively, including a 9–4 victory in Game 3 at Wrigley Field.
• Game 1 of the Padres-Astros series occurred on September 29, 1998, at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, with the Astros winning 2–1.
• Tony Gwynn, in his final postseason appearance, batted .333 in the series, contributing key hits for the Padres.
• The Braves' pitching staff, led by Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz, allowed just 7 runs across the three-game sweep of the Cubs.

How It Works

The National League Division Series follows a structured best-of-five format, with home-field advantage awarded to the higher-seeded team. The series uses a 2-2-1 format, meaning the team with home-field advantage hosts Games 1, 2, and 5 (if necessary), while the opponent hosts Games 3 and 4.

• Best-of-Five Format: The first team to win three games advances to the NLCS. All series in 1998 concluded within four games.
• Division Series Structure: Introduced in 1994, the NLDS expanded the playoffs to include three division winners and one wild card team.
• Home-Field Advantage: Awarded based on regular-season record; the Braves had a 106–56 record, best in the NL.
• Game 5 (if needed): Hosted by the higher seed; in 1998, only the Padres-Astros series required a fourth game.
• Roster Rules: Teams used their full 25-man rosters, with pitchers like Kevin Brown and Randy Myers playing key roles.
• Postseason Seeding: The Cubs qualified as the NL wild card with a 90–73 record, facing the Braves as division champions.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the two 1998 NLDS matchups, highlighting key statistics and outcomes.

The Braves’ dominance in their series contrasted sharply with the Padres-Astros series, which extended to four games. Atlanta’s superior pitching and postseason experience led to a clean sweep, while San Diego relied on timely hitting and strong bullpen work to overcome Houston. The Cubs, despite a strong regular season powered by Sammy Sosa’s 66 home runs, were unable to solve Atlanta’s rotation.

Why It Matters

The 1998 NLDS was pivotal in shaping the postseason landscape and highlighted the growing competitiveness of National League teams during the late 1990s. It also marked the end of an era for some veteran players and set the stage for future playoff expansions.

• Tony Gwynn’s final postseason appearance was celebrated widely, as he retired after the 1999 season with 3,000 career hits.
• The Braves continued their dominance, making their seventh consecutive NLCS appearance, a modern-era record.
• Sammy Sosa’s Cubs were eliminated quickly, despite Sosa winning the NL MVP that year.
• Expansion of playoff interest was evident, with wild card teams like the Cubs drawing national attention.
• San Diego’s success propelled them to the NLCS and eventually the World Series, where they lost to the Yankees.
• Postseason format evolution was validated, leading to the addition of a second wild card in 2012.

The 1998 NLDS remains a significant chapter in MLB postseason history, illustrating the drama and unpredictability of playoff baseball. It showcased star performances, managerial strategy, and the emotional weight of October baseball.