What Is 2013 NL Wild Card Game

Overview

The 2013 National League Wild Card Game was a single-elimination showdown between two Central Division rivals, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds. It marked the second year the NL implemented the Wild Card Game format, introduced in 2012 to increase playoff excitement and competition.

Hosted at PNC Park, the game was the Pirates' first postseason appearance since 1992, ending a 20-year drought. The atmosphere was electric, with a record crowd of 38,108 fans creating a deafening environment that energized Pittsburgh's squad.

• PNC Park: The Pirates hosted due to winning the season series 5–2 against the Reds, a key tiebreaker rule.
• Postseason drought: Pittsburgh hadn’t won a playoff game since October 14, 1992, making this victory emotionally significant.
• Starting pitchers: Francisco Liriano started for Pittsburgh; Johnny Cueto for Cincinnati, who left early due to injury.
• Key moment: Russell Martin hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning, giving Pittsburgh a 3–0 lead and shifting momentum.
• Final score: The Pirates won 6–2, advancing to face the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Division Series.

How It Works

The NL Wild Card Game is a one-game playoff between the two non-division-winning teams with the best records in the league. The format rewards strong regular-season performance while adding high-stakes drama to the postseason structure.

• Format: A single game eliminates one team, increasing urgency and risk compared to a series format.
• Participants: The two best non-division winners in the NL compete, regardless of division.
• Home field: Determined by better regular-season record; Pittsburgh had 94 wins vs. Cincinnati’s 90.
• Timing: Played the day after the regular season ends, typically on October 1 or 2.
• Advancement: The winner moves on to the NL Division Series against the top-seeded division winner.
• Impact: A loss ends the season immediately, making it one of baseball’s most pressure-filled games.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a side-by-side comparison of key performance metrics from the 2013 NL Wild Card Game:

The Pirates dominated early, capitalizing on Reds’ pitching instability. After Cueto exited with a thumb injury, Pittsburgh scored four runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Their bullpen, led by Mark Melancon and Jason Grilli, preserved the lead with three scoreless innings. The Reds managed only two runs, both in the ninth, after the outcome was already decided.

Why It Matters

The 2013 NL Wild Card Game was a turning point for the Pirates, symbolizing the end of decades of losing and the arrival of a competitive team. It also highlighted the high-stakes nature of the Wild Card format, where one game can define a franchise’s trajectory.

• Historic significance: The win ended Pittsburgh’s 21-season playoff drought, the longest active streak at the time.
• Player legacy: Francisco Liriano’s 7-inning, 2-run performance solidified his status as a postseason ace.
• Fan engagement: The electric crowd at PNC Park showcased Pittsburgh’s passionate fanbase returning to relevance.
• Reds’ decline: Cincinnati failed to advance past the Wild Card round again until 2020, signaling a shift in NL Central power.
• Format critique: The game intensified debate over whether a single game fairly determines playoff advancement.
• Future impact: Pittsburgh returned to the Wild Card Game in 2014 and 2015, establishing a new era of competitiveness.

This game remains a landmark in Pirates history and a textbook example of how the Wild Card format can deliver dramatic, franchise-altering moments in Major League Baseball.